handbook for us english-language teaching assistants in austria · 2020-07-29 · contained in this...
TRANSCRIPT
A HANDBOOK
For US English-Language
Teaching Assistants
in Austria
2020–21
Fulbright Austria (Austrian-American Educational Commission) 2020
Quartier21/MQ, Museumsplatz 1, 1070, Vienna, Austria. All rights reserved. No part of this
publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any
means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise—without the prior permission
of the Austrian-American Educational Commission.
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FOREWORD
The purpose of this handbook is to provide you with useful advice and information, which you may
need before leaving the United States, while preparing for your arrival in Austria, and during your stay
in Austria.
The material is general in nature. It is illustrative and by no means comprehensive. Some opinions
contained in this document may seem colored by personal experiences of former teaching assistants
from whose reports we draw. No two experiences as an English-language assistant are alike, and
you should bear that in mind when reading this handbook.
The midyear survey reports and final reports you complete during the year will offer a good
opportunity for constructive comments on the materials provided and your experience as an English-
language assistant. These reports will be used to periodically update the information included in this
handbook.
If the handbook proves to be helpful in preparing you for your year in Austria, it will have served its
purpose.
Please bring it with you to Austria and refer to it as needed throughout your stay.
Security Issues
The US government publishes official travel directives and advisories for US citizens abroad,
accessible on the Department of State website.
For relevant news releases and statements with a more “local” or Austrian focus, the website of the
US embassy in Austria has good resources.
Fulbright Austria is in regular touch with the US embassy in Vienna and informs USTAs on an equally
regular basis if there are any warnings, alerts, or specific issues of concern. Please note, however,
that Fulbright Austria has no additional sources of information on security issues outside of the
official sources listed above.
Registering with the US Consulate in Vienna
US citizens staying in Austria for more than three months are encouraged to register with the US
consulate in Austria and to inform them of your arrival, address in Austria, and eventual departure.
The relevant form can be completed online using the US embassy’s Smart Traveler Enrollment
Program.
US consulate in Vienna:
Parkring 12A (in the same building as the Marriott Hotel), 1010 Vienna
Tel: (01) 313 39
Email: [email protected]
Web: https://at.usembassy.gov/
Those who register with the embassy will also receive relevant email updates regarding security
concerns and events of interest throughout their stay.
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Teaching Assistant Handbook
For Americans in Austria, 2020–21
1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 4 2. GETTING STARTED .............................................................................................................................. 4
2.1 Check Lists ............................................................................................................................................ 4 2.2 Important Dates ..................................................................................................................................... 5 2.3 Initial Expenses ...................................................................................................................................... 6 2.4 Financial Obligations at Home ............................................................................................................... 6 2.5 Medical Matters ..................................................................................................................................... 6 2.6 Austrian Residency Permit Application .................................................................................................. 6 2.7 Photocopies for Safety........................................................................................................................... 6 2.8 Driving .................................................................................................................................................... 6 2.9 Attire and Packing .................................................................................................................................. 6 2.10 Housing Information ............................................................................................................................... 7 2.11 Resources for Finding Housing .............................................................................................................. 8 2.12 Mandatory Orientation Program........................................................................................................... 10
3. ONCE YOU ARRIVE ............................................................................................................................ 10 3.1 First Priorities ....................................................................................................................................... 10 3.2 Fulbright Austria Emails ....................................................................................................................... 10 3.3 Registration with the local Austrian authorities: Meldezettel ................................................................ 10 3.4 Residency Permit: Aufenhaltstitel ........................................................................................................ 11 3.5 First Day at Work (October 1, 2018): Dienstantrittsmeldung ................................................................ 11 3.6 Teaching Schedule .............................................................................................................................. 11 3.7 Opening a Bank Account: Gehaltskonto .............................................................................................. 12 3.8 Austrian Insurance: BVA ...................................................................................................................... 13
3.8.1. Health insurance for accompanying dependents ........................................................................ 14 3.8.2. If you fall ill ................................................................................................................................... 14
3.9 Your Salary and Taxes ......................................................................................................................... 14 4. LIFE AS A TEACHING ASSISTANT ......................................................................................................... 15
4.1 Duties ................................................................................................................................................... 15 4.2 You Are Expected To: .......................................................................................................................... 15 4.3 Therefore, You MAY NOT: ................................................................................................................... 16 4.4 Compliance and Confidentiality ........................................................................................................... 16 4.5 Have Fun! Make the Most of Your Time at School!.............................................................................. 16
5. EXPECTATIONS AND ADJUSTMENTS .................................................................................................... 16 5.1 Accents and Colloquialisms ................................................................................................................. 16 5.2 Adjusting .............................................................................................................................................. 17 5.3 The Workplace ..................................................................................................................................... 17 5.4 Workplace Relationships ..................................................................................................................... 18 5.5 Classroom Discipline ........................................................................................................................... 18 5.6 Tips from Former Teaching Assistants................................................................................................. 19
6. IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT AUSTRIA ......................................................................................... 20 6.1 Language ............................................................................................................................................. 20 6.2 Personal Austrian-American Relationships .......................................................................................... 21 6.3 Currency and Financial Matters ........................................................................................................... 21 6.4 Living Standard and Costs ................................................................................................................... 22 6.5 Medical Coverage ................................................................................................................................ 23 6.6 Tipping ................................................................................................................................................. 24 6.7 Telephone ............................................................................................................................................ 24 6.8 Public Transportation ........................................................................................................................... 24 6.9 Store Hours .......................................................................................................................................... 24 6.10 Books and Information on Austria ........................................................................................................ 24
7. AMERICAN GOODWILL AMBASSADOR ................................................................................................ 26 7.1 International Role ................................................................................................................................. 26 7.2 Frequently Used Topics ....................................................................................................................... 27 7.3 Bring Authentic Materials ..................................................................................................................... 27
8. THE AUSTRIAN SCHOOL SYSTEM ....................................................................................................... 28 8.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 28
Primary and Secondary Educational Paths in Austria ............................................................................... 28 8.2 General Secondary Schools Track ....................................................................................................... 29 8.3 “Higher” Secondary Schools Track...................................................................................................... 29
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8.4 Higher Secondary Academic Schools (AHS) ....................................................................................... 29 8.5 Higher Secondary Vocational-Technical Schools (BHS) ...................................................................... 30 8.6 Post-Secondary Schools ..................................................................................................................... 30
9. AUSTRIAN SCHOOL LIFE .................................................................................................................... 31 9.1 Who’s Who? ......................................................................................................................................... 31 9.2 School Structure .................................................................................................................................. 32 9.3 Classroom Environment ....................................................................................................................... 32
10. SAMPLE LESSON PLANS ................................................................................................................... 33 10.1 General Format .................................................................................................................................... 33 10.2 Peer Resources .................................................................................................................................... 33 10.3 Suggestions for Topics ........................................................................................................................ 34
11. EXTENDING YOUR TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIP FOR A SECOND YEAR ....................................................... 35 12. APPENDIX ........................................................................................................................................ 36
12.1 Internet Resources ............................................................................................................................... 36 12.1.1. General information and lesson plan websites ............................................................................ 36 12.1.2 Topic-specific websites .................................................................................................................. 36
12.2 Frequently used textbooks................................................................................................................... 37 12.3 Meldezettel ........................................................................................................................................... 39 12.4 US Citizen Registration with US Consular Section .............................................................................. 39 12.5 Addresses in the United States of America ......................................................................................... 39 12.6 Addresses in Austria ............................................................................................................................ 40 12.7 Sample Housing Ad Terminology ......................................................................................................... 40 12.8 Conversion Tables ............................................................................................................................... 42
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1. INTRODUCTION
Since 1962, more than 3,000 US college and university graduates have served as English-language
teaching assistants in Austria under the auspices of a program that Fulbright Austria (Austrian-
American-Educational Commission) administers for the Austrian Ministry of Education, Science and
Research (BMBWF). Although the majority of US teaching assistants are not officially Fulbright
grantees, Fulbright Austria’s management of this program falls under the Fulbright Program’s
mandate to “promote further mutual understanding between the peoples of Austria and the United
States through educational and cultural contacts.” Article 2 (10) of the bilateral agreement that
established the commission in 1962 also listed such activities as part of the commission’s mandate:
“[to] administer or assist in administrating or otherwise facilitate educational and cultural programs
and activities that further the purposes of the present Agreement but are not financed by funds made
available under this Agreement.”
The US teaching assistantship program started small—initially with six positions—and has expanded
throughout recent years. Approximately 150 US teaching assistants will be placed in Austrian
secondary schools in all nine Austrian federal provinces (Bundesländer) and in communities large
and small during the 2020–21 academic year. They will work at some 200 schools with 1,600
different classes and have contact with an estimated 40,000 students between the ages of 10 and
18.
The mutually beneficial nature of this program is obvious: it contributes substantially to the quality of
foreign-language instruction in Austria—for teachers and students alike—and is also a fine
opportunity for US teaching assistants, who not only serve as linguistic and cultural ambassadors in
the Austrian classroom but also, upon returning to the US, are truly assets for and advocates of
Austria. Given the nature of their work and the number of people with whom they have contact in an
educational setting, US teaching assistants make a considerable contribution to the promotion of
mutual understanding.
Working in a foreign institution is just as challenging as living in a foreign culture. The purpose of this
Handbook for US English-Language Teaching Assistants in Austria is to provide incoming teaching
assistants with background information on the Austrian school system, to inform them of the
obligations of teaching assistants, and to share pragmatic tips and resources for instruction. It is
based on surveys completed by former US teaching assistants in Austria. The bulk of the text was
drafted by Ms. Joan Riegert, who taught English for two years in Austria as a US teaching assistant
as well as German in the White Bear Lake School system (in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota). Major
revisions and editions were made in 2010 by Mr. John Andy Brunner-Brown, who taught German at
California State University Long Beach before teaching English for one year as a US teaching
assistant. The Fulbright Austria staff edits, revises, and updates the handbook on an annual basis.
2. GETTING STARTED
2.1 Check Lists
Proper planning will greatly improve your transition to your position as a teaching assistant.
Generally, this list follows a chronological order.
Before Departure
Housing is of great importance: try to arrange housing before departure. With university students
returning to the big cities in September, finding housing gets increasingly difficult the longer you
wait
Start saving money now! You will receive your first paycheck in mid-November. Do not forget
about domestic financial obligations (student loans, etc.)
Contact your school(s) in a brief email to let them know a little bit about you.
Apply for your residency permit
Pack (winter clothing, medical documents, etc.)
Photocopy important documents or save them electronically
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Arrive early enough (mid-September) to have a few days to settle in before your official contract
starts. This also allows for ample time to take care of housing or residency permit issues
Like us on Facebook to keep up with the latest news and events! You can also friend us on
Instagram and follow us on Twitter. Use the hashtag #fulbrightaustria to be featured!
After Arrival
Housing: if you have not arranged housing before arriving, please plan on arriving early.
Searching for housing once teaching begins can be very difficult
Register at the Meldeamt
Submit your fingerprints to the immigration authorities. Please find the immigration
authorities in your area using this link.
Pick up your residency permit
Open a bank account
Report to your schools on the first day of work and sign the Dienstantrittsmeldung
Save money by signing up for a Vorteilskarte with the ÖBB
Before May 2020
Taxes, both US and Austrian taxes
Give your landlord proper notice that you are leaving
De-register at the Meldeamt
Cancel you cell phone and internet contracts ahead of time (1–3 months)
2.2 Important Dates
In order to plan ahead for the upcoming year, here are some important dates to keep in mind:
September 23–27: orientation seminar
October 1: first day of work
Mid-November: first payday
May 31: last day of contract
Austrian Holidays and School Breaks
Austrian Holidays 2020 2021
New Year’s Day January 1 January 1
Epiphany January 6 January 6
Easter Monday April 13 April 5
May Day/Labor Day May 1 May 1
Ascension Thursday May 21 May 13
Pentecost Monday (Whit Monday) June 1 May 24
Corpus Christi June 11 June 3
Assumption Day August 15 August 15
National Holiday October 26 October 26
All Saint’s Day November 1 November 1
Immaculate Conception of Mary December 8 December 8
Christmas December 25 December 25
St. Stephen’s Day December 26 December 26
School Breaks 2020–21
Christmas Break (Weihnachtsferien) Not known at time of publication. For more
information, check this website.
Semester Break (Semesterferien)* See above
Niederösterreich, Wien See above
Burgenland, Kärnten, Salzburg, Tirol, Vorarlberg See above
Oberösterreich, Steiermark See above
Easter Break (Osterferien) See above * Schools with a focus on tourism may have a different schedule for school breaks.
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Each school also has several vacation days (schulautonome freie Tage) to use at its discretion. Be
sure to confirm the dates of school breaks with each school to which you have been assigned, as
school calendars can vary from school to school.
2.3 Initial Expenses
Please keep in mind that the first month of the program will require higher expenses than the rest of
the year. Before the first payday in November, USTAs will likely pay for their trip to Austria as well as
two months’ rent and living expenses and a housing security deposit.
2.4 Financial Obligations at Home
Look into the status of your student loans. The teaching assistantship is not a graduate fellowship or
scholarship, and you will not be considered a “full-time student” during this time. It is, however, a
legitimate full-time educational pursuit (analogous to student teaching in the US), and program
participants have successfully deferred loan payments in the past. In some cases, it suffices to
provide the lending organizations with a copy of the letter of appointment you initially received in
April outlining the dates and the nature of your teaching assistantship. Once you have arrived in
Austria, the Fulbright Austria secretariat can also issue a confirmation that you are participating in
the program as a teaching assistant, which should suffice for the purpose of loan deferrals.
2.5 Medical Matters
If you have a previous history of medical problems or are on a regular regime of medication, you
should definitely bring background information, prescriptions, or copies of relevant medical records
with you.
2.6 Austrian Residency Permit Application
The application for a residency permit needs to be submitted to an Austrian consulate three months
before starting the assistantship in Austria. For more on this procedure, please reference the detailed
information you received in the Pre-departure Handbook.
2.7 Photocopies for Safety
For safety purposes, photocopy important documents and materials, such as your passport, plane
tickets, driver’s license, birth certificate, etc., and keep the copies in a separate place for reference in
case the originals are lost. Copy your Austrian permit once you receive it.
2.8 Driving
If you plan to drive a car in Europe, according to the ÖAMTC, a foreign driver’s license is valid for six
months in Austria if the driver is a resident of Austria and over 18 years old AND if the license is
written in German or accompanied by an international license (available through AAA) or a translation
(which the ÖAMTC can provide if you show them your Meldezettel and pay €13.81).
Within six months, foreigners from outside the European Economic Area who are residents of Austria
would need to have their license re-issued for Austria at any drivers licensing authority in order to
drive. There are numerous documents required for this, as well as a fee; please inform yourself about
the requirements if you are interested.
You are advised to consult with the local motor vehicle licensing authorities before driving and
encouraged to investigate insurance issues in particular. Local Austrian automobile clubs can also
advise you on legal and insurance issues (www.oeamtc.at and www.arboe.at).
2.9 Attire and Packing
Do not take too much with you: you may add to your wardrobe while in Austria, shipping can be
expensive, and airlines usually have luggage restrictions. However, in some cases it might be
cheaper to pay for excess baggage than to have items shipped separately. Be sure to also bring
materials for teaching (more information in section 7.3).
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Consider bringing hassle-free, wash-and-wear clothes.
Semi-casual is the appropriate dress for teachers (dress shirts, blouses, khaki pants, nice jeans,
skirts, and sweaters). However, it is always a good idea to bring along some formal attire as well.
In some schools, especially tourism schools, business attire is expected of students and
teachers alike. Please contact your BetreuungslehrerIn about this or consult the school’s
website.
The weather in Austria can vary greatly within a day, but is generally very cold in winter with rain
and snow yet warm and pleasant in summer. Layering with a variety of light and thick sweaters
and jackets is a key element to comfort. Warm winter clothing, rain gear and good footwear will
dramatically improve your comfort in and enjoyment of Austria.
You may also walk more than in the US, but should still bring comfortable dress shoes for daily
wear.
Indoors, the Austrian standard of comfortable temperature may be somewhat below that of the
American; slippers and warm lounge clothing are recommended.
Over-the-counter medications that you know and trust are good to have on hand, such as
ibuprofen and anti-histamines.
Many past USTAs have taken advantage of the opportunity for athletic pursuits in Austria.
Consider packing for both winter and summer sports, as sports apparel and equipment can
seem expensive compared to American standards.
Shopping in Europe is generally more expensive than shopping in the USA.
Previous USTAs suggest bringing the following items: reference books and dictionaries; favorite
toiletries, specific medicine for your annual cold, vitamins, contact lens supplies; an American
cookbook, perhaps some of your favorite spices or flavorings, some of your other favorite kitchen
gadgets, measuring cups and spoons.
Most European countries use 220 volts/50 cycles AC, which most AC adapters can handle, but the
plugs are different. Almost all AC adapters on power cords list their power constraints, which should
range from 100 to 250 volts and 50 to 60 cycles AC; this is compatible for both systems. Plug
adapters are easy to find, but consider buying power converters for power cords that do not have
adapters on them.
2.10 Housing Information
Teaching assistants are responsible for arranging their own housing.
N.B. It is recommended that you do NOT use Craigslist.
Do not pay for anything online in advance if you have not seen the location, have not met the owner
or agent personally, or do not have the recommendation of a trustworthy source, such as a current
or past renter who is familiar with the location and/or parties involved.
NOTE: USTAs are advised to either plan in advance or arrive early to arrange housing. The closer
you get to the beginning of the academic year in Austria (October 1), the tighter the market for
student housing gets in university cities. It is generally advisable to contact schools or previous
USTAs first when inquiring about housing opportunities.
Past USTAs have lived in dormitory rooms, single apartments or apartments shared with other
students, and rooms rented in a private home, each with positive and negative aspects in terms of
cost, privacy, comfort, and opportunities for German language use. For example, renting a room in a
private home usually imposes certain restrictions on privacy and the use of kitchen and bathroom
facilities. However, it may also offer you more opportunities to use the German language and
experience Austrian culture. Teaching assistants frequently have preferred to rent small apartments,
to share an apartment with one or more subtenants, or to live in a dormitory. The latter does not put
many rules and regulations on its occupants and is the most inexpensive type of accommodation.
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However, dorm rooms must be booked in advance and frequently entail contracts that cannot be
terminated on short notice.
Rent in Austria generally ranges between 200 and 600 euros for a room or a very small apartment,
depending on the size and type of housing, the size of the city, and the location within the city. Many
Austrian residential buildings are old—over 50% of the buildings in Vienna were built before World
War I—and have been adapted to meet modern standards but are generally built with smaller
bedrooms and living spaces than American apartments. Austrians might consider an apartment
sufficient or even spacious that may be small by American standards.
Keep in mind:
Avoid engaging a realtor or other agents: fees will amount to up to three months' rent.
Dishwashers are not nearly as common as in the US, and refrigerators are small with
correspondingly small freezing compartments.
Do not expect a microwave.
Some apartments may be furnished with a washing machine for clothing, but a dryer is rare.
Laundromats and dry cleaning are expensive by American standards.
Heating and utilities are checked and then averaged over every quarter. Whether they are
included in your rent will depend on your rental agreement.
You will be accountable for any damages. If something is damaged or out of order when you
move in, inform the owner of the flat immediately so that there are no misunderstandings when
you move out.
Utilities are paid quarterly; monthly payments are based on the previous quarter.
When shopping for furniture and household supplies, there are other options beyond Ikea, such
as Mömax, and many supermarkets carry cookware.
Most USTAs sign contractual rental agreements. A watertight contract written by a lawyer and/or
notary may prevent unpleasant surprises but will involve additional expenses.
NOTE: You will be required to submit written documentation that you have secured housing in order
to have your residency permit processed in some provinces.
The relationship between you and the owner of your flat will be a matter of mutual trust. However, it
is best to be as specific and as clear as possible about expectations and obligations. When moving
in, make it clear you will give notice at least one month before moving out (Kündigungsfrist); most
contracts require at least three months’ notice. Try to keep the period of notice (Kündigungsfrist) down to one month as set by law in the absence of a special agreement and do not sign a contract
that may force you to remain in an apartment for a specific length of time. Most people who rent out
their flats ask for two or three months’ rent as a deposit (Kaution) in addition to the rent for the first
month. The deposit will be refunded in full if it is not needed for damages or unexpected utility
charges.
2.11 Resources for Finding Housing
USTAs should consider all resources when arranging housing; some resources may be more
appropriate for urban areas, whereas others may be more appropriate for rural areas.
Smaller communities
Contact your school(s) for direct assistance or for the contact information of former teaching
assistants who may be able to advise you on housing options near your school. Some of the contact
teachers are able to suggest or help arrange housing for USTAs. Generally speaking, teaching
assistants assigned to smaller communities find housing more easily because the host schools are
familiar with the teaching assistant’s needs and the (usually limited) opportunities. Teaching
assistants at schools in urban centers should not expect their schools to be so forthcoming in
identifying housing opportunities.
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Larger communities
The Austrian National Union of Students (Österreichische Hochschülerschaft, ÖH) has chapters at
each of Austria’s 18 universities, which are situated in seven cities: Vienna, Graz, Leoben, Linz,
Klagenfurt, Salzburg, and Innsbruck. The ÖH branches maintain online “brokerages” (Börsen) for
student housing. These websites have interactive search engines that allow you to specify the type,
size, cost, and location of the housing you are seeking:
ÖH University of Graz http://campusboard.at/
ÖH University of Innsbruck http://www.oehweb.at/index.php?id=36
ÖH University of Klagenfurt http://www.oeh-klagenfurt.at/
ÖH University of Linz http://oeh.jku.at/boerse/wohnangebote
ÖH University of Leoben https://www.wohnen-leoben.at/
ÖH University of Salzburg http://www.oeh-salzburg.at
ÖH Univ. of Vienna, ÖH WU Vienna https://schwarzesbrett.oeh.ac.at/wohnen/
ÖH branch offices also have Social Service Offices (Sozialreferate) that may be of assistance in
finding housing; locations are listed on this ÖH website and on the websites of Austrian universities.
Once in Austria, you can also browse housing opportunities that are posted on bulletin boards at the
respective offices of the Austrian National Union of Students.
Austrian Exchange Service - Housing Office: (Österreichischer Austauschdienst WohnraumverwaltungsGmbH) The Austrian Exchange Service is a non-governmental organization
that manages a series of scholarship and exchange programs for the Republic of Austria. The ÖAD-WohnraumverwaltungsGmbH is a private organization responsible for administering student housing
in dormitories and apartments of various sizes. ÖAD housing can be found in the seven Austrian
university cities mentioned above. For more information, please contact the ÖAD:
ÖAD-WohnraumverwaltungsGmbH
Ebendorferstrasse 7
1010 Vienna
Tel.: (+43) - 1534 / 08800
Fax: (+43) - 1534 / 08899
Web: https://housing.oead.at/en/
Email: [email protected]
ÖAD offices can provide you with information on what options they have and will reserve housing for
you if you are willing to make a (non-refundable) reservation deposit.
Newspapers: Newspapers can provide you with an overview of the housing market (Immobilien)
throughout Austria. Other online resources include:
http://www.immobazar.at/ (database with search; mostly for eastern Austria)
http://derstandard.at/Immobilien (online version of a large Austrian newspaper)
http://www.jobwohnen.at
http://www.sws.or.at
http://www.wohnnet.at/wohnungen-in-wien.htm (for Vienna)
Please see Appendix 12.7 for housing advertisement terminology.
Housing information is provided solely as a courtesy. Fulbright Austria does not inspect, endorse or
assume any responsibility for any properties, accommodations, or other housing options or
websites, and it expressly disclaims any and all responsibility for any problems that may arise in
connection therewith. Individuals are strongly advised to thoroughly investigate and inspect any
properties, accommodations, or other housing options before making final arrangements.
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2.12 Mandatory Orientation Program
The BMBWF organizes orientation sessions for incoming teaching assistants in conjunction with the
provincial boards of education (Landesschulräte). The orientations provide important information on
the Austrian educational system, explain your duties as a teaching assistant, and offer an
opportunity to meet fellow teaching assistants.
These mandatory orientation sessions—one for USTAs in eastern Austria (Vienna, Lower Austria,
Burgenland and Styria) and the other for USTAs in western Austria (Vorarlberg, Tirol, Salzburg,
Carinthia, and Upper Austria)—will be conducted online this year as a result of the COVID-19
pandemic. More information will be provided once the BMBWF has finalized its plans for the online
orientation.
3. ONCE YOU ARRIVE
3.1 First Priorities
Secure your housing arrangements
Within three business days of your arrival: register with the local Meldeamt (registration office)
Submit your fingerprints to the immigration authorities before the orientation seminar and pick up
your residency permit once the card has been printed
As soon as possible: open a bank account
The Monday after the orientation: report for work at your Stammschule to begin your job
(Dienstantritt) and sign your job contract (Dienstzettel)
3.2 Fulbright Austria Emails
Fulbright Austria sends you valuable administrative information throughout the year and helps
maintain contact with the teaching assistants in Austria. We will inform you of administrative
announcements, report on matters of general interest, and publish occasional articles about Austrian
customs or about your experience. Your contributions are welcome and appreciated.
3.3 Registration with the local Austrian authorities: Meldezettel
Please note: Registering with the Austrian authorities and securing your residency permit are two
separate procedures!
Within three business days of entering Austria, you (and your dependents) are required to register
with the appropriate authorities. The Meldezettel is an important document for identification
purposes. Furthermore, you are required to deregister with the authorities at the end of your stay in
Austria.
In Vienna: register with the Magistratisches Bezirksamt; consult this Austrian government website for
addresses and office hours.
Elsewhere in Austria: register with the local Magistrat or Gemeindeamt. Consult this government
website to identify the appropriate office in your area with the Behördenadresse-Abfrage: choose
Gemeindeamt/Magistrat for Behördentyp and type in your Postleitzahl (postal code).
You will need:
A completed Meldezettel registration form with the landlord’s signature
The Meldezettel is available at your local registration office and online:
Passport, supporting documents if applicable (e.g. marriage license for spouses)
The authorities will record your personal data, passport number, and current and permanent
addresses and assign you a twelve-digit “central registration number” (Zentrale Melderegister-Zahl or ZMR-Zahl), which you will use to identify yourself in any further official business. They also record
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the expiration date of your residency permit to track the length of your legal residency in Austria.
Therefore, it is imperative to deregister before leaving Austria, three days before or after moving out.
Please keep Fulbright Austria informed of your contact information. As soon as you are settled,
please inform the Fulbright secretariat of your address, telephone number, and current email
address. Please also notify Fulbright Austria should any of your contact information change over the
course of the year.
3.4 Residency Permit: Aufenhaltstitel
Contact the immigration authorities before the orientation seminar to submit your fingerprints and
any other additional documents they might require. You should be able to pick up your residency
permit at your province’s Bezirkshauptmannschaft or Magistrat within a week of having submitted
your fingerprints. Locate the immigration authority responsible for handling your residency permit
application on this Austrian government website.
3.5 First Day at Work (October 1): Dienstantrittsmeldung
You are expected to report for work at your main school (Stammschule) on the Monday after
orientation. You may want to arrange a meeting time with your contact teacher prior to your arrival,
as they may or may not have a scheduled lesson at the time you arrive. On the first day, you should
complete paperwork with the Direktion to inform the appropriate authorities that you have reported
to fill the position to which you have been assigned (Dienstantrittsmeldung). This paperwork, among
other things, is a prerequisite for your being paid. Your school should provide you with a “job
description” (Bestellung). A sample for this document is on page 36 of both the English version and
the German version of the Handbook for Assistants 2020/2021 published by the BMBWF. You
should provide your name, birthday and address to the staff in the Direktion and make sure that they
register you (and your dependents) for your health and accident insurance (Kranken- und Unfallversicherung). If you already have your bank details, you should give them to the staff in the
Direktion as well. You may be asked to provide a written confirmation (Bestätigung) from the bank to
verify your account information.
Be sure to provide:
Your date of birth
Your address
Your bank account information including the routing code (IBAN)
A copy of your residency permit ID card OR
A copy of the confirmation verifying that you have submitted an application for a residency
permit
Once you are registered, the authorities will issue you a Sozialversicherungsnummer (insurance
number) and a corresponding green e-card, which should arrive within a month. This number is used
to identify you to all physicians and health delivery systems.
3.6 Teaching Schedule
You should be introduced to your BetreuungslehrerIn, the teacher responsible for supervising you,
and run through the details of your class schedule at this time. Sometimes, teaching assistants are
asked to work with the supervising teacher to organize their timetables. You may be allowed to make
small requests regarding your schedule for a day off or time to sit in on another class in your school.
However, keep in mind that your primary role in Austria is to serve your school as a teaching
assistant.
Teaching assistants’ work schedules vary from school to school based on the needs, schedules, and
preferences of the teachers but generally follow these formats:
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1. Sign-up list: Teachers sign up on a schedule posted for the USTA in the Konferenzzimmer based
on their teaching needs and schedule. This means that the USTA will likely have a different
schedule each week and work with classes on a less regular basis. However, it is reasonable to
assume that the schedule for any given week will be communicated in advance in order to give
you sufficient lead time to prepare for your classes.
2. Set schedule: USTAs and the teachers agree on regular classes to teach in, resulting in a
constant and known schedule.
3. Fixed odd/even weeks (ungerade/gerade): The contact teacher assigns a fixed timetable in
which the teaching assistant has two class schedules, one for odd and one for even weeks.
USTAs may also have a fixed one-, three-, or four-week plan depending on the number of
classes he/she will be working with.
Coordinating schedules between two assigned schools will largely depend on the location of the
schools and class schedules, but schedules will probably follow these formats:
1. Odd/even weeks: 13 hours in one school every odd week and then 13 hours in the second
school every even week.
2. Alternating days: Six hours in one school on two days of the week and for seven hours in the
other school on two days of the week.
3. Same-day switch: If the schools are within close proximity to each other, it is possible to work in
both schools on the same day, perhaps even in consecutive lessons.
4. Semester / semester: The USTA works at one school for one semester and the second school
for the second semester.
Keep in mind that teachers may choose to deploy you in a variety of ways. You may be asked to
teach lessons to whole classes (note that you are not supposed to teach entirely on your own), to
half of the class (while the teacher works with the other half), or to small groups. Your role may
include cultural, conversational, or topical lessons. You may also be asked to teach directly from the
book or using materials that you have prepared. Maintaining flexibility is of utmost importance.
3.7 Opening a Bank Account: Gehaltskonto
Teaching assistants are salaried employees of the school board of the province in which they teach.
Salaries are paid through direct deposit around the 15th of the month; including account information
on your school’s Dienstantrittsmeldung in the first week ensures a timely first payment in November.
You should provide your Stammschule with the following information:
Your account number (IBAN)
The name of the bank
The address of the bank
At a local bank, open a Gehaltskonto (salary account, sometimes called a Girokonto) with your
passport and a few euros for an initial deposit; some banks will also require your Meldezettel. Do not
open a Konto (account) or Sparkonto (savings account) or a US dollar account at an Austrian bank—
they will be of no use to you and are very expensive.
You will pay the bank for their services on a quarterly basis, automatically deducted from your
account at the end of each quarter (approx. €10-20 per quarter), and you will most likely not earn
interest on your account. Those studying at an Austrian university will be able to open a student
account, which costs less. Inquire about this possibility at your local bank.
Teaching assistants receive their salaries around the 15th of the month. October’s salary will
probably arrive in November because it takes time for your information to get into the system. Please
make sure to bring sufficient funds to cover your expenses in the first six to eight weeks of your
employment. Delays in opening an account or providing your Stammschule with your bank
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information may delay your first payment. If inordinate delays arise in connection with the payment of
your salary, inform the Direktion of your Stammschule.
Banking vocabulary
Bankomat ATM; cash dispenser
Bankomatkarte ATM/debit card for national and international withdrawals
BLZ = Bankleitzahl Routing number; a five-digit numerical code for individual banks
Dauerauftrag Customer order form for regular (recurring) payments (e.g. rent);
Einziehungsauftrag Customer order form to regularly pay incoming bills from specific
companies (e.g. phone, utilities, etc.)
Erlagschein An invoice used to make payment via bank-to-bank transfer
Gehalts-/Girokonto Salary account, private checking account
IBAN International Bank Account Number
Konto Account
Kontoauszug Account statement (printed from a machine in the bank foyer)
PIN Personal Identification Number needed to use your ATM card
SWIFT or BIC Bank Identification Code
Sparbuch Savings account
Spesen Bank charges
Überziehungsrahmen Overdraft limit. Note: High interest is charged.
Überweisung Bank-to-bank transfer
3.8 Austrian Insurance: BVA
During the period of their assignments in Austria, teaching assistants are covered as employees by
the health and accident insurance program of the BVA – Versicherungsanstalt öffentlich Bediensteter. You should receive an insurance card (e-card, Sozialversicherungskarte containing all
relevant data) with your insurance number (Sozialversicherungsnummer) from your insuring agency
approximately one month after you have started working. Bring your e-card to all treatments. After
your teaching assistantship ends and your insurance contract expires (i.e., after May 31), you will still
have limited coverage for a six-week grace period.
For detailed information on the conditions and extent of coverage, please consult the BVA website or
call the BVA hotline at 05 04 05.
Coverage includes treatment for illness and injuries, eye examinations, basic dental care, pregnancy,
medication, therapeutic and laboratory services (if prescribed by a physician), medical supplies,
hospitalization, etc. Many Austrian physicians or hospitals have contracts with the BVA. Make sure
that the health care provider you consult has a BVA contract before going in for treatment. Health
care providers bill the BVA directly for the costs of treatment, and the BVA bills you for 20% of the
total. This insurance has a 20% deductible (Selbstbehalt) for outpatient treatment; in-patient
treatment (hospitalization) is covered in full.
Austrian medical insurance also covers medication. A prescription fee (Rezeptgebühr) of €5 is
collected for each medication prescribed. The physician responsible for prescribing the medication
must be consulted if additional medication is needed; in this case, the physician will issue another
prescription [Note: birth control is not covered; the process is the same, but contraceptive pills will
likely cost between €10 and €25 per month].
Traveling within the EU, you may request an Urlaubskrankenschein (also called
Auslandsbetreuungsschein) so that you are covered in the event that you become ill while away from
your place of residence. Austrian health and accident insurance is valid in EU countries as well as in
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Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Iceland. You need to check that your e-card has
“Europäische Krankenversicherungskarte” written on the backside (above the signature), and always
take your card with you while traveling.
NOTE: The insurance coverage for US teaching assistants does not apply to the United States.
Contacting Austrian insurance companies can provide you with moderately priced travel insurance
(Reiseversicherung). Before traveling outside of the European Union (e.g. in Eastern Europe), you
should inquire if there are insurance reciprocity agreements between Austria and the countries you
will be visiting.
3.8.1. Health insurance for accompanying dependents
Accompanying children can be insured free of charge under the auspices of parental insurance as
long as they are under 18 and still in school. Accompanying spouses may be insured free of charge if
they are exclusively engaged in childcare. Otherwise, additional insurance premiums must be paid to
insure accompanying spouses. The premium rate is 3.4% of the primary insurance carrier’s gross
salary.
It is important that USTAs provide relevant documentation (birth certificate, Meldezettel) to the BVA if
they want their dependents to be covered by their insurance.
3.8.2. If You Fall Ill
If you are ill and unable to work, it is important to immediately call in sick at your school(s) on the first
day of your illness to let them know that you will not be coming to work. You are required to get a
note from your doctor (Krankenstandsmeldung) stating that you are ill, which has to be forwarded to
the BVA. Please inquire at your school whether you are required to submit confirmation of your
illness from a physician.
You can find a physician near you using this website.
If you are unsure where to go, it is always a good idea to ask around in your community or among
the teachers at your school(s).
3.9 Your Salary and Taxes
The relevant provincial board of education (Landesschulrat) or the BMBWF is responsible for
disbursing your salary to you on a monthly basis. It takes a certain amount of time for the authorities
to get your information into the system; October’s salary is usually distributed a month late in
November. It is important for you to bring enough personal funds to cover the costs of your first six
to eight weeks. Your expenses will be a bit higher in the first month to cover costs associated with
setting up your household, travel expenses, residency permits, deposits, etc.
You will receive a monthly salary slip (Gehaltszettel) from your Stammschule that records your gross
income of approximately €1,543, with deductions for health insurance and income tax resulting in a
net income of about €1,248. You can print a Kontoauszug—an account statement documenting your
monthly net pay—at a machine in your bank foyer. You should receive an official Lohnzettel in early
March and in early June stating your gross and net earnings. Your colleagues or the secretary at
your school(s) will be able to give you detailed information on your typical monthly deductions.
Although bilateral agreements exempt USTAs from certain European countries from Austrian income
tax, this exemption does not exist for US citizens; therefore, income tax will be deducted from your
salary. It is important for you to draw this to the attention of the Direktion at your school and confirm
that Lohnsteuer is listed on your pay sheet.
Income tax in Austria is progressive and calculated upon the basis of an extrapolated annual income.
In light of the fact that USTAs work only three months in one year (October–December) and five
months in another (January–May), the income tax deducted is too high. Therefore, USTAs may apply
for a tax refund at the beginning of the calendar year.
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This entails obtaining forms from a local tax office (Finanzamt) and submitting a formal request called
an Erklärung zur Durchführung der Arbeiternehmerveranlagung. Consult the Finanzamt’s website to
find the Finanzamt responsible for your Arbeitnehmerveranlagung: Also read the corresponding
section in the BMBWF’s handbook or ask the staff and faculty at your school for advice. You will
receive more information about both Austrian and US taxes during the academic year.
Information on US taxes and downloadable IRS forms for filing taxes are available on the IRS
website.
Note: Teaching assistants are responsible for all taxes and tax declarations in Austria and the United
States. Fulbright Austria does not advise students and teaching assistants on US or Austrian taxes.
4. LIFE AS A TEACHING ASSISTANT
4.1 Duties
It is important for you to recognize that you are expected to conduct yourself as an employee of your
assigned school(s) and will be treated as such.
The status of foreign-language teaching assistants has been carefully circumscribed by law in
Austria (Erlass, from the Ministry of Education), which outlines what you may and may not do. The
details about your legal rights, duties and responsibilities, and salary are incorporated into the
Lehrbeauftragtengesetz (teacher’s employment law).
As noted throughout this handbook, the BMBWF also publishes a handbook for teaching assistants.
It addresses many of the issues raised in this Fulbright Austria handbook in a more detailed manner.
Most importantly, the BMBWF handbook is an official document from the Ministry of Education.
Read the BMBWF handbook carefully and bring it with you to Austria. Individual teachers with whom
you work may not be aware of your obligations or limitations, and you may want to show them the
BMBWF handbook so that they are informed.
The guidelines provided in the handbook are clear in theory, but practical application may
sometimes be more difficult. This is certainly not an excuse to be uncooperative. Some teaching
assistants in the past have also “violated” the guidelines because they wanted to assume more
responsibility in the classroom than they were supposed to. It is important to use common sense
and discretion in interpreting and following the guidelines.
Remember that you are an employee subject to the directives of your superiors: you are required to
comply with requests made by your superiors within the framework of your employment as a
teaching assistant.
4.2 You Are Expected To:
Carry out your teaching duties with the utmost dedication, prepare your lessons, and incorporate
the advice given to you by your supervisory teachers.
Teach 13 lessons per week.
Familiarize yourself with the rules and customs of your school. (Ask your contact teacher to
introduce you to the peculiarities of your school’s “institutional culture.”)
Communicate and cooperate with your teachers in all matters ranging from the preparation of
lessons (e.g., with regard to what your teachers expect from you) to the solution to problems that
might arise.
Discuss any problems that arise with your contact teacher (first) and/or principal.
Try to create real-life situations when repeating materials that have been previously covered by
teachers (younger students might also enjoy playing games). Do not hesitate to enrich lessons
by including your personal experiences.
Teaching assistants are not formally licensed to teach in Austria.
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4.3 Therefore, You MAY NOT:
Teach on your own without supervision.
Grade or correct work. If you are interested in doing so, ask the teachers if you can assist them.
However, the final decision and responsibility always lies with the teacher.
Provide corridor supervision (Gangaufsicht) on a regular basis.
Perform administrative tasks.
Teach new chapters of grammar.
Go into the lesson unprepared.
Be used for substitute teaching.
Only in exceptional cases may you be asked to substitute for another teacher, with the principal
bearing full responsibility. Make sure you know exactly what is expected of you in the lesson. You
have every right to respectfully decline; you have no obligation to teach alone or substitute.
It is important for all teaching assistants to recognize that they have a contractual relationship with
the school authorities. If teaching assistants are negligent in the execution of their duties, the school
authorities may terminate their contracts.
4.4 Compliance and Confidentiality
You are also required to be discreet. Any matters addressed in staff meetings or parent-teacher
meetings are not to be discussed outside of school.
4.5 Have Fun! Make the Most of Your Time at School!
Join in on lessons in other subjects—it is always rewarding to watch your classes interact with
other teachers.
Socialize with all the teachers at your school (not just the English teachers).
Join teachers during office hours; attend PTA meetings and similar events.
Try attending the final oral exams (Matura), an excellent opportunity to witness the results of your
efforts.
Participate in extracurricular activities that the school offers. This is a great opportunity to
interact with students and teachers and to be part of the local community.
Join your class on day trips and remember that school tours (Skikurs) or parties (Schulball) are
an excellent opportunity to get to know teachers and students in a relaxed atmosphere.
5. EXPECTATIONS AND ADJUSTMENTS
Your teaching position in Austria could be an experience of a lifetime. This opportunity is what you
make of it. The cliché is true: you will get out of it what you put into it.
5.1 Accents and Colloquialisms
It is important for you to recognize that British English—in terms of pronunciation as well as
spelling—is the generally recognized model in Europe. Therefore, some teachers may feel that you
(as an American) do not pronounce English “correctly” or that you use some grammar improperly
since they were trained to use a different (“correct”) model. You may be confronted with this pro-
British (or anti-American) bias. There is nothing you can do about it, so do not worry about it.
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5.2 Adjusting
Most teaching assistants have previously lived and/or studied abroad, yet it is important to recognize
that there are a number of differences “the second time around.” You will not be a student in a
program with other students; instead, you will have to fend for yourself while working in a different
cultural and institutional environment, where the way things work may not clear in the beginning.
Being a teaching assistant demands a considerable amount of flexibility and the capacity to solve
problems.
You may be placed in a very small town or in a large city; allow yourself time to adjust to your new
settings. In the words of one teaching assistant, "Don't despair if you don't get assigned to where
you wanted to go. It may take a while to get used to your surroundings (i.e., from NYC to
Wieselburg), but you may like it. It's a great experience."
Another teaching assistant who had a hard time adjusting said, "I found that it was tougher for me to
be stared at by the townspeople than to be overlooked by my colleagues. Until [December] most
people didn't reply to my greetings, but all of a sudden it's like they all agreed to embrace me with
open arms! Just don't get discouraged with the small-town mentality. You'll find your own way soon
enough."
Some USTAs have found that it takes Austrians a bit to warm up to new people. Living and working
in Austria is likely a great endeavor, one that could prove to be a life-changing experience. However,
in some schools (particularly urban schools), you may be just one of many language assistants that
the school has had over the past few decades.
5.3 The Workplace
Not only will you be learning how to adjust to a new living situation, you will also be adjusting to new
working conditions. It may be difficult at first to learn how to work with many different teachers, each
of whom has a different teaching style and different expectations of you and of their students. You
will also be working with different ages of students with varied skill levels. As one assistant said,
"Each teacher has a different 'style' and you need to adapt to each one's needs. After a few months,
it is easy to understand what they expect from you. But again, this takes time." Another assistant
observed: "The tasks became clear only after I understood the expectations that each teacher had in
class."
As you will likely be working with many different teachers and classes throughout the year, a system
to organize your weekly schedule and responsibilities will be very useful. It will most likely be your
responsibility to speak with teachers regarding the lesson plans. Try to do so at least a couple of
days in advance so that you have ample time to gather materials and prepare the lesson. You may
also wish to request contact information for your teachers and provide them with yours in the event
that a class is canceled or you fall ill.
Most problems teaching assistants have had in the past have been based on an insufficient
understanding of the way things work or a lack of communication (or both). If you do not understand
something or are unhappy about something, you have to communicate in order to address these
problems. Your BetreuungslehrerIn or another teacher can help in times of need or complication. The
official route for lodging a formal complaint, the Dienstweg, may often not be the best way to solve
problems.
Establish a good rapport with fellow teachers from the start of your assignment. Many times, you will
be better off if you can find a teacher with whom you can connect and communicate openly about
any problems that arise. A teaching assistant told us, "I receive support from many teachers,
regardless of the subject they teach. I have gone to a few teachers with some personal issues and
they have helped me."
It is important to be proactive and open-minded when communicating with your fellow teachers. It
might be a good idea to talk to the English teachers you will be working with and find out what they
expect from you. USTAs have also recommended doing the following things:
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Be proactive and ask what the English teachers expect you to do
Conduct a survey among your students about topics of interest
Keep track of your lessons
Try to be enthusiastic, friendly and upbeat in all your lessons
Have an introductory lesson about yourself and the US prepared
Another (very important and extremely helpful) resource you have is other teaching assistants.
Sharing difficulties and achievements with your colleagues in the unofficial Fulbright Austria
Facebook group can give you new perspectives on your work as a language assistant as well as
strategies to address potential problems. Fellow USTAs can also provide you with information about
events and travel in Austria. As one USTA said, "Get to know other assistants in other areas. I have
friends in Linz, Salzburg and Tirol I have visited." Be sure to clarify sensitive and official matters with
the program officer! And stay in touch with you regional advisor!
Teaching assistants maintain an intermediate position between teachers and students, a
representative of an educational institution yet often just a few years older than the students. You
should try to maintain a healthy, balanced relationship with both teachers and students, and it is
important that one group does not feel like you are taking the other's side. As one teaching assistant
observed: "We assistants are definitely in the middle: we aren't teachers or students. I say, take
advantage of the situation and use it to everyone's benefit." Avoid situations where you publicly
disagree with your teachers, thereby creating a situation where they (or you) may lose face. If a
teacher corrects you in the classroom situation, deal with the correction graciously and with humor.
Although you are “not a teacher and not a student,” it is important for you to establish a certain
amount of authority. Teaching assistants who are too chummy with students ultimately have great
problems (not only with the students, but also with the teachers) because they are not taken
seriously. It is also important for you to dress appropriately when you are in the classroom (“faculty
dress codes” may vary widely from school to school). Generally, semi-casual is the appropriate
dress for teachers (dress shirts, blouses, khaki pants, nice jeans, skirts, and sweaters).
5.4 Workplace Relationships
It is a great idea to socialize with both students and teachers outside of the school and to participate
in extracurricular activities, like school excursions or ski trips. However, it is equally important to
remember to establish and maintain personal and professional boundaries. Amorous or sexual
relations with teachers usually create problems (regardless of the “consenting adults” argument).
Amorous or sexual relations with students are an abuse of position and incompatible with the
responsibilities USTAs have by virtue of their positions. If you experience sexual harassment, please
talk to someone you trust or contact www.gewaltinfo.at or www.frauenhelpline.at.
5.5 Classroom Discipline
Classroom discipline is an issue that teaching assistants frequently find difficult because they have
observed that—by American standards—there is less discipline in the classroom in general and
fewer school-wide disciplinary policies and systems at the teacher’s disposal (detention, demerits,
etc.) When you start teaching, it is therefore necessary to establish authority in the classroom. Be
friendly but clear about what behavior you will and will not accept. Do not be afraid to ask your
teachers for help with discipline if you need it. Here is some advice from past assistants: "Students
are excited to have someone new, but it's important to show that you can really teach something. If
they see that you are nervous, they will heckle you.” "Don't put up with unruly students. They learn
fast who is in control and it is hard to regain control once you lose it."
Remember, respect is not something that a classroom of teenagers is going to give you
automatically. You have to expect it and command it. Furthermore, if you structure the material you
wish to present, you are structuring the classroom environment as well. If you come poorly prepared
or unprepared and students recognize this immediately, you will create a disciplinary problem
because you do not know how to keep students’ attention or structure their time and expectations.
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5.6 Tips from Former Teaching Assistants
It is important to recognize the individual nature of the teaching assistant experience. No two
teaching assistants will be in the same situation. Teaching assistants assigned to the same school
have different experiences from one year to the next. A tremendous amount of your success
depends on your flexibility and attitude as well as your general approach to interaction with students
and teachers.
We asked former teaching assistants what general advice they would give incoming assistants in
order to help them have a successful and effective year. Here is what they reported:
General advice:
“Ask a lot of questions at the beginning.” (Pädag. Hochschule, Steiermark)
"Above all, make a conscious effort not to spend too much time with other Americans, as this is
a convenient trap at the beginning that severely limits the potential of your experience abroad.”
(HAK, Vienna)
“This is a year for growing and experimenting. Throw yourself into every activity 100%, and the
rewards will astound you. If you mess up, laugh it off; the teachers know that everything is new
for you, and they love a good laugh, too! That having been said, you can try out things you never
would have back home, with nothing to lose. Opportunities like this don’t come around very
often, so grab it while you can. You’ll be glad you did.” (HAK, Upper Austria)
"Keep talking to people, eventually it will be more than 'Grüß Gott', so hang in there! Don't be
afraid to say you don't understand something, and ask for help when you need it. Always be
prepared and be flexible." (BORG, Upper Austria)
"Dive in! Become involved in different groups or organizations, take classes at a local university
or VHS (Volkshochschule), and really explore your community. You feel so much more at home
and successful when you actually exert yourself to fit in and experience new things.” (HTL, Tirol)
"Explore! Don’t ask why a particular part of the culture is how it is and think our American way is
better. I found if I accept the culture I am living in, I am much happier for it. I have so much fun
when I actually take part in the traditions and don’t just watch. See with an unbiased eye and
you get to learn so many cool parts of Austrian culture!” (BHAK, Vienna)
“Join a Verein or something fun to meet people, especially if you are in a small town.” (BG, Graz)
“German! Brush up your German, especially if you are placed in a small town!” (BORG, Styria)
Materials, lesson plans, and other school issues:
“Establish clear guidelines with your teachers from the start. Make absolutely sure that it is
known what is expected of you and also what you expect from them. You will be working very
closely, but one of the hardest parts of my job was coordinating lessons.” (HIB, Liebenau)
"I have a folder of last-minute lessons and games, which has been very helpful." (BORG,
Vorarlberg)
"Be very flexible! Some days things won't go like you planned. Don't gossip - leave that to the
teachers. And just relax." (HLTW, Vienna)
“Be open to change and be ready to think on your feet. Whenever you plan a lesson, have a
back-up plan and a back-up, back-up plan.” (HGBL, Vienna)
“Always remember to talk slower and more clearly than you normally would.” (HTL, Vienna)
“Things you might bring: If you are an AAA member, go get their free guidebooks and maps for
big US cities like New York, San Francisco, etc. NY and SF are units in the textbooks, and you
can give out the guidebooks as ‘authentic materials’ to groups of students and have them plan a
few days in their particular city. Bring along a few pictures, brochures and newspapers from
home, maybe including some job classifieds. Also, everyone wanted me to talk about the
American school system. So if you have a yearbook or can bring along a copy of your class
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schedule from middle/high school, or some pictures of Homecoming, etc., that is helpful.”
(Gymnasium, Vienna)
“The more assertive I was about taking communication into my own hands, the better my
experience got. The more the assistant shows that he or she is independent and willing to take
on (limited) responsibility, the better the interactive experience becomes.” (HAK, Vienna)
"Don't listen to comparisons from/to previous USTAs. Each teacher has their own story. Just do
your job as best you can, and enjoy the unique position you're in." (Gymnasium, Tirol)
“Do not prepare lectures. Prepare interactive worksheets where students can have small tasks to
complete toward understanding a topic. With this worksheet as a tool in hand, they are able to
form and express their opinions for a discussion 100 % more easily. I did this form for topics
from restaurants to violence to teen interests.” (HBLA, Lower Austria)
"It has taken a little time to adjust to all the different teachers/teaching styles. I've learned you
simply have to be flexible and let the teachers decide how to use you." (Gymnasium, Upper
Austria)
"Don't be afraid to present interesting and unusual topics, and maintain healthy lines of
communication with your teachers." (Gymnasium, Lower Austria)
“My advice would be to have fun, don’t be so serious all the time. [The students’] school lives are
stressful and although you should teach them and actually work, use the time to be a treat for
them … This is an amazing experience, use it!” (HAK, Tirol)
"Don't be shy! If you need something or don't understand something, ASK! Ask your teachers
what their expectations are. Establish a system for feedback. Speak slowly and clearly. Jump
right in and have fun!" (BHAS, Lower Austria)
“My advice is to make your experience the way you want it to be and not to rely on your school
to know what you want. If the teachers don’t approach you at least a day in advance, then
approach them! Smile and be friendly to all if they don’t initiate it. People are friendly and nice
but just have a different manner in which they express themselves. In class you are on stage,
performing, don’t let them know you’re nervous and try to make them laugh at least once in
every class! Be prepared – they will respect you for this!” (Gymnasium, Tirol)
“Be open, honest and persistent. If you have a problem, or don’t understand something, ask until
you do. If you don’t speak up right away, it will be much harder to change something later, and
you don’t want to be roped into doing something that makes you uncomfortable just because
you didn’t speak up. Austrians are used to people who say their opinions clearly and will expect
you to do so.” (HAK, Styria)
“Be flexible. Many times lessons you’ve prepared might not even be used or class may be
canceled. Not everything goes as planned, but it’s all part of the challenge of working as a
USTA.” (HLW, Vienna)
“Be yourself – make jokes and talk about things you think are funny. A sense of humor in a
second language is a little different, so laugh at your own jokes and the class will eventually
“learn” how to laugh.” (BRG, Steiermark)
"Be a part of school events, trips, etc. You get to know teachers and students much better, and
it helps you with your work.” (BHAK, Lower Austria)
6. IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT AUSTRIA
The Austrian Federal Chancellery and Federal Press Service have an informational website in
English.
6.1 Language
The importance of knowing German for the success of your stay in Austria cannot be sufficiently
stressed. A person's enjoyment and profit from their year in this country are almost proportional to
the degree to which they know the language. If you become dependent on English-speaking
Austrians and the American community in Austria, much of the benefit of your stay abroad will be
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lost. Many USTAs who have extensive experience in Germany have trouble with language in Austria:
keep in mind that Austrian German not only includes many regional accents, but also dialects with
vocabulary different from High German.
It is strongly recommended that you use the time before arrival to brush up on verbal
communication. Try to work at the language lab at your school, enlarge your vocabulary, sign up for
a conversation course, or attend activities organized by the local German club to practice your
German.
Dependents accompanying you should also make every effort to get a start in German before their
arrival, such as learning the names of foods and the system of weights and measures. Children
attending Austrian schools will likely receive instruction exclusively in German, though bilingual
schools are increasingly being established in larger urban centers. Try to speak German with them
before departure - even a little familiarity with the language will make it easier for them.
There are a number of possibilities to learn German in Austria throughout the whole year, including
Berlitz, inlingua, and International House. Courses are also available at Volkshochschulen
(www.vhs.at), Berufsförderungsinstitute (http://www.bfi.at), Delphin Sprachservice
(http://www.dolphin.at), and universities. You can start your search at Campus Austria.
6.2 Personal Austrian-American Relationships
Personal relationships with Austrians are not only vital to your personal enjoyment of your year here,
but are also essential to the basic aims of the teaching assistantship program. Making friends is
usually not difficult; you will have plenty of opportunities if you have a snack or drink coffee in the
teacher’s lounge, eat at the school buffets, or participate in the activities of student and binational
organizations as well as the programs offered by your school(s) or local sports clubs. Austrians,
however, may seem more reserved, maintaining fewer but closer friendships compared to
Americans.
Social patterns are more formal in Austria; shaking hands all around, greeting colleagues and friends
in the hallway or entering and exiting the Konferenzzimmer, greeting employees when entering or
leaving an office or shop, using appropriate titles, etc. While students now use the du form among
themselves, the older generation continues to address colleagues with Kollege or Kollegin. Fräulein is never used with titles and never alone, except for servers, salesgirls, etc. A woman is addressed
as Frau whether she is married or not. It is customary to take along flowers, a bottle of wine, or a
small gift when invited to private homes.
6.3 Currency and Financial Matters
The Austrian monetary unit is the euro (€, E or EUR), with fluctuations in value in recent years
between 1.20 and 1.55 dollars to the euro. Please check current exchange rates. Euros are issued in:
Coins .01 .02 .05 .10 .20 .50 1.00 2.00
Notes 5 10 20 50 100 200 500
All teaching assistants are presumed to have sufficient financial resources to meet their annual
income tax and other financial obligations in the US while abroad. It is advisable to keep some funds
in an American bank or with a friend for the payment of such obligations. Transferring money
between countries is possible but can be logistically difficult and include extra expenses, particularly
through wire-transfer.
Check with your American banks and credit card companies whether they charge for usage in
Europe.
Many ATMs in Austria accept US ATM cards (Maestro, Cirrus) and withdraw the transactions directly
from your account (at the exchange rate of the day of the transaction). However, beware of
withdrawal fees charged by both the Austrian bank and your US bank.
22
Normal banking hours in Austria are Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 1:30–3:00 p.m.
(Thursdays until 5:30 p.m.). This may vary considerably; check the opening hours of your local bank.
Personal checks from American accounts can be accepted by some Austrian banks, but allow about
four weeks waiting time for the checks to clear unless you hold an account with the respective
Austrian bank. American Express International has a check-cashing service for those holding
American Express credit cards. The usual form of payment in Austria is with cash or debit card, or by
payment order with an Erlagschein / Zahlschein.
There is no counterpart to the “personal check” in Austria, and the Bankomatkarte functions as a
debit card. Therefore, you do not have to worry about opening a checking account. Traveler’s
checks are increasingly difficult to find and cash and are therefore not recommended.
Credit cards have become increasingly popular in Austria, and major credit cards are accepted in
most places, though not necessarily in restaurants and small stores. If you have the PIN code for
your credit card, you may withdraw cash at specially designated "international" ATMs in Austria, but
you should look into the charges your credit card carrier imposes before using this as a method of
withdrawing funds.
6.4 Living Standard and Costs
All teaching assistants should expect to spend a significant amount of money before their first
paycheck in the middle of November in order to pay for travel expenses, rent (October AND
November), and a rental deposit.
The differences between Austrian and American traditions, habits, income structures, and
expectations make it difficult to compare the standards and costs of living. While some things
(particularly services rendered and goods) cost more, other things cost less.
When budgeting for and planning your stay in Austria, please remember running costs in the US
(house, car payments, etc.), and that the USTA salary is designed for one person.
Your teaching assistant salary should cover necessary day-to-day expenses for one person in
Austria. USTAs with dependents must have sufficient extra funds and should not expect to finance
their family's stay on one teaching assistant salary. Housing is a major expenditure for all teaching
assistants, and clothing can be expensive by American standards. USTAs with babies or growing
children are advised to purchase items for them in advance in the US and to ensure the items are
large enough for the children to grow into while in Austria. That being said, there are discount
markets and chain stores in all major Austrian cities. Groceries cost roughly the same.
There are also a number of trade-offs. For example, public transportation is cheap in all major cities,
and there are numerous opportunities to get discounted tickets to many cultural events (standing
room at the Vienna State Opera and the State Symphony for €3–5!).
Depending on your situation, teaching assistants typically spend the following percentage of their
salary on the items listed below:
Housing 25–50%
Utilities, heat 5–8%
Food 30–40%
Laundry, dry cleaning 3–4%
Daily transportation 3–5%
Local travel 6–8%
Entertainment 3–5%
Cultural events 3–5%
Other (medical, clothing) 5–10%
To help with budgeting, here are some sample costs (in euros) in Austria:
Monthly U-Bahn pass in Vienna 48.20
23
Single fare for city public transportation 2.20
2nd-class train ticket between Vienna and Salzburg with a
Vorteilskarte
25.60
Cell phone call 0.05–0.15
Cell phone text message 0.02–0.05
Movie ticket 6–12
Coffee at a café 2.50–4
Night in a hostel 20–35
Day ski pass 20–40
Dinner at a restaurant 8–30
The following sales taxes (Mehrwertsteuer) are applied in Austria. Unlike in the US, price tags show
prices including taxes.
For food, medicine, rent 10%
For gas, electricity, clothing and most other products 20%
In Austria you are required by law to register and purchase a license for all broadcasting reception
equipment (TV and/or radio). More information can be found on the GIS website.
6.5 Medical Coverage
In case of a serious emergency, call an ambulance (Rettung, 144).
Medical care in Austria is on par with the usual standards of highly developed, industrialized
countries. Most medications are available; however, many require a doctor's prescription. For
example, you cannot get over-the-counter anti-histamines in Austria. Medications are only sold at
pharmacies (Apotheke) where some medications for less serious illnesses such as the common cold
can be prescribed on site. If you need a specific medicine, bring it in sufficient quantity for the
beginning of your stay and bring your doctor's prescription along with you. Sending (even over-the-
counter) medications through the mail can lead to problems with Austrian and/or US customs.
Some USTAs recommend immunization against the flu and the common cold. Wood ticks in Austria
carry a serious viral infection similar to Lyme disease (which can result in meningitis in some cases),
and tick immunization is strongly recommended.
If you are in need of a doctor, ask the person renting your accommodations to you, your colleagues,
or the main office at school for the name of their family doctor, or choose one in your vicinity from
the telephone directory. You can also find doctors online using this directory of doctors.
Large hospitals operate emergency rooms for accidents (Unfallstationen) on a 24-hour basis.
Outpatient clinics (Ambulanzen) are open in the mornings on weekdays for the general public and are
places where medical care and advice can be obtained for minimal fees or under Austrian insurance
coverage. The telephone directory lists hospitals under Krankenhäuser. For thorough examinations,
a consultation at a doctor’s office (Ordination) is suggested.
The Österreichische Ärztekammer offers a great online tool for finding a physician. Some of the local
Ärztekammern even let you limit your search to physicians who can speak English. Be sure to pick
‘BVA’ when selecting your Krankenkasse.
Burgenland: http://www.aekbgld.at/arztsuche
Kärnten: http://www.aekktn.at/web/arztekammer-fur-karnten/arztsuche
Niederösterreich: https://www.arztnoe.at/arztsuche
Oberösterreich: https://arztsuche.aekooe.at/finder/search/land/OO,SA
Salzburg: http://www.aeksbg.at/arztsuche
Steiermark: http://www.aekstmk.or.at/cms/cms.php?pageName=46
Tirol: http://www.aektirol.at/arztsuche/
Vorarlberg: https://www.medicus-online.at/aek/dist/medicus.html Wien: https://www.praxisplan.at/
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6.6 Tipping
Tip modestly compared to American standards: tips to servers, taxi drivers, porters, hairdressers,
etc., are usually 5–10 %. Instead of leaving the tip on the table, it is customary to round off the bill.
Thus, if the bill were €12.50, you would say, “Bitte auf 13 Euro.” Some Austrians may also leave a
few coins on the table for the person who served them if the money for the bill was collected by a
different server/employee - Ober (Zahlkellner).
Musicians (e.g., at Heurigen) expect tips, too. They usually set up a plate or basket in a strategic
place near the door into which you can drop money on your way out. It is usually hard to miss.
6.7 Telephone
There are a number of recommended alternatives to signing a contract for landline phones, including
cell phones, Skype, Gmail Chat, calling cards (rates increase if either party is using a cell phone), and
particularly good deals for international calls on certain prepaid cell phones. Contrary to the US, in
Austria local calls can be quite expensive on landlines. For a comprehensive listing of providers and
respective rates, please consult this website.
Former USTAs recommend buying an Austrian prepaid SIM card because contracts typically require
a two-year commitment. Generally, an SMS costs less than 5¢, and a phone call costs less than 10¢
per minute. Austrian cell phone providers include: A1, Drei, Telering, T-Mobile, Orange, Bob and Yes.
Important numbers such as the fire department (122), police (133), ambulance (144), long-distance
codes, and various service numbers are listed on the cover or on the first pages of the telephone
directory.
6.8 Public Transportation
Austria’s modern public transportation systems provide for easy travel within local areas and around
Austria. While tickets are reasonably priced, there are heavy fines for riding without a ticket
(Schwarzfahren) on public transportation (over €100 for the first offense).
For any sort of commute, it is highly recommended to ask transportation services about weekly and
monthly tickets, which entail significant savings. Weekly tickets are particularly valuable when
holidays reduce the number of working weeks within a month.
The discount train card (Vorteilskarte) issued by the Austrian Railway Company (ÖBB) is valid for one
year and reduces the costs of train rides by up to 50%. If you are under 26, the card costs €19.90;
otherwise, it costs € 99.90. There is also the possibility of getting a 25% reduction when traveling to
neighboring countries with your Vorteilskarte. Please remember to take an ID and a passport photo
with you when applying for the card. There are also a number of discount fares offered by the ÖBB
to neighboring EU countries (sometimes as low as €29 for a seat on a night train). More information
on the Vorteilskarte and the ÖBB can be found on the ÖBB site.
Also look into bus travel, which can often be cheaper than a train.
6.9 Store Hours
Business opening hours in Austria are shorter than in the US, often closing at or before 7 p.m. Shops
and restaurants are often closed on Sundays and national holidays. In smaller towns and villages,
shops close at noon on Saturdays.
6.10 Books and Information on Austria
The more you know before arrival, the more rewarding your experience will be. To maximize your
experience, try learning about the country where you will spend a full year, either by reading a
guidebook, such as Grieben's, Fodor's, Baedecker's or Michelin (emphasizing art) or by perusing the
histories of Austria and Vienna. At the same time, you should be prepared to have to answer
questions about your own country and review your own cultural history before arriving in Austria.
25
Recommended literature:
Dr. Lonnie Johnson’s Introducing Austria: A Short History (Riverside: Ariadne Press, 1987)
provides a short survey of Austrian history.
American Ways, edited by Gary Althen, et.al. (Intercultural Press: 2nd edition, 2002) is helpful for
preparing to teach and live in Europe. With its 22 chapters, this paperback attempts to introduce
people coming to the United States to the peculiarities of the “American way of life” and has
received both accolades for its insight and criticism for reproducing stereotypes.
In a more scholarly and historical vein, Richard Pells wrote an interesting and multi-faceted book
on European-American perceptions and transatlantic relations: Not Like Us: How Europeans
Have Loved, Hated, and Transformed American Culture Since World War II (Basic Books: 1997).
This book is a treasure chest of information that reaches from the historical analysis of the
concept of “Americanization” or the impact of the Marshall Plan to reasons for the popularity of
US sitcoms in Europe.
A good start for a general introduction to Austrian customs and etiquette: Culture Shock! Austria
by Susan Roraff and Julie Krejci (London: Kuperard, 2001).
The American Women’s Association in Austria publishes Living in Vienna, a practical information
guide for the English-speaking community. Although some of the information is “Vienna-centric,”
much of it pertains to Austria as a whole. Information on ordering a copy is available on the AWA
website.
Gordon Brook-Sheperd wrote a tremendous amount about Austria in The Austrians: A Thousand
Year Odyssey (paperback: HarperCollins, 1996), which provides a good general introduction to
Austrian history characterized by a very sympathetic treatment of the Habsburgs.
Anton Pelinka, a former professor of political science at the University of Innsbruck and former
member of the Fulbright Austria’s board, offers a superb overview and analysis of contemporary
Austria in Austria: Out of the Shadow of the Past (Boulder: Westview Press, 1998).
Rolf Steininger, Günther Bischof and Michael Gehler’s book Austria in the Twentieth Century has
interesting articles on Austrian history and politics, especially about the interwar years and the
time after the end of World War II up to the year 2000 (New Brunswick: Transaction Pub, 2002).
USTAs living in Vienna may wish to consult Vienna – The Past in the Present: A Historical Survey
by Inge Lehne and Lonnie Johnson (Riverside: Aridane Press, 1995, 2nd ed.). The Viennese-born
US author Frederic Morton has written two exceptionally readable books (available in
paperback): A Nervous Splendor: Vienna, 1888-89, which is built around the suicide of Crown
Prince Rudolf, and Thunder at Twilight: Vienna 1913-14, a portrait of cultural life in Vienna on the
verge of World War I.
Claudio Magris’ book Danube is a good introduction to the history of the Danube basin.
The following websites may also be helpful in obtaining information about Austria:
http://www.bmeia.gv.at Federal Ministry of European and International Affairs
http://www.wien.gv.at City of Vienna
http://www.austria.gv.at Austrian Federal Press Service: Federal Chancellery
http://www.austria.org Austrian Press and Information Service
https://www.austriatourism.com Austrian National Tourist Office
https://apa.at/ Austria Press Agency
http://www.acfny.org Austrian Cultural Forum, New York
http://www.cas.umn.edu Center for Austrian Studies, University of Minnesota
http://www.virtualvienna.net Online community of English speakers in Austria
General information on Austria as well as maps and brochures may be obtained from the Austrian
Cultural Institute in New York, the Austrian consulates and the Austrian National Tourist Office in the
US (for addresses see Appendices 12.5 and 12.6). Furthermore, many Austrian cities and towns also
have websites.
26
In addition to your specific reference books and dictionaries, you may wish to acquire the Duden
paperback Wie sagt man in Österreich? A small Webster's English-language dictionary and a
German-language dictionary might also come in handy.
7. AMERICAN GOODWILL AMBASSADOR
7.1 International Role
The teaching assistant program is about more than improving students’ English: USTAs are
representatives of the United States and thus facilitate cultural exchange in both directions. This is
an important aspect of the program given that the American perspective of the United States is
different from the European perspective. Transatlantic relations and cross-cultural perceptions are
topics that will repeatedly come up. In many ways—including geographically, politically, and
socially—the United States is very large and very complex. It is impossible to know everything, and
occasionally teachers and students may expect you to know more about the US than you actually
do.
You will also inevitably be asked about current affairs. In recent years, topics of great interest have
included how the Electoral College functions, President Obama, 9/11, gun control, popular culture,
the death penalty, gender equality, and the economic crisis. Direct questions are not always meant
to be confrontational or a judgment on your character.
On occasion, however, you may be confronted with a certain amount of anti-Americanism. It is
important for you to recognize that you are not personally responsible for American foreign policy
since World War I, Hiroshima, the Vietnam War, poverty, crime, drugs, or racism in the United States.
Your job is not to defend the United States, but to try and explain it to your students. This is not
always an easy job, but keeping this difference in mind always helps.
As former teaching assistants have observed:
"Most of my students' knowledge of America comes directly from television."
"The questions that the students have are usually based on what they've seen on TV.”
"I have been able to dispel certain myths about the US just by talking to the students and
answering their questions. My being there has given them a better understanding of America
and the American way of life."
"I've made a difference by providing students with a real example."
These comments reflect the acquired knowledge of Austrians about America from American movies,
TV shows and the Media, such as Wag the Dog, Michael Moore’s documentary works, OC California, Sex and the City, Desperate Housewives, The Simpsons, CNN, and MTV. These represent
America just as poorly as the few stereotypes of Austria that penetrate the American collective
knowledge—Austria offers more than just Lederhosen, Arnold Schwarzenegger, The Sound of Music, and skiing.
Therefore, it is important to have an opportunity like this, as one assistant said, "to open up the
minds of students to things they never knew about the US by telling them how it really is at home."
You will be able to do this by covering certain topics that are of interest to the students.
Most of your teaching time will be spent generating discussions, answering questions about
America, and presenting material. Your job is to engage the students, to lower their apprehension
about using a foreign language, and to get them to talk.
There are some very useful internet resources that deal with the culture shock many people
experience when studying or living in another country:
https://www.gooverseas.com/
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7.2 Frequently Used Topics
Child abuse Genetic engineering
Death penalty Jobs - job applications - résumés
Drugs – alcohol abuse Native Americans
Feminism Religions
Food Pollution – the environment
Current events in the US & US foreign policy Racism - prejudice
Grammar - differences between American
English and British English
Regionalism - life in different parts of the US -
geography
HIV/AIDS US history – melting pot – civil rights –
immigrants – foreign policy
Holidays - traditions School system - school life
Political system - government – elections -
voting
Teen issues - smoking, driving, lifestyle,
fashion, teenage pregnancy
Literature Tourism
Media - television - advertising Terrorism
Music Violence - crime - gangs - gun control
How in depth you get with these topics of course depends on which levels you are teaching. If you
spend time with the Unterstufe (ages 10-14), you might discuss a few of these topics at a very basic
level of English, whereas Oberstufe students (ages 14-18) will be able to understand and discuss
these topics at a fairly high level.
In the appendix of this handbook, you will find a list of online resources related to the
aforementioned topics and the tables of contents from the textbooks used at the different kinds of
schools. Keep in mind, however, that not every Gymnasium or every HTL uses the same textbook.
Use the list as a guide and ask your school to provide you with copies of the textbooks if they expect
you to use them on a regular basis.
Although teaching grammar is something you should not do on a regular or extensive basis
(according to the guidelines), you may also be asked to help explain certain grammar points or help
with grammatical exercises. This may be a challenge if you have never had to do this before because
there is a difference between speaking intuitively and having to explain the prescriptive rules. Having
some kind of a grammar book with you as a reference will help. Do not hesitate to ask your teacher
to make sure you understand English grammar before you are expected to teach it. Although you are
not expected to know everything about the English language, do your best to be prepared for
situations where an explanation is needed.
7.3 Bring Authentic Materials
Authentic materials provide a more genuine use of the language and more motivation for students to
learn the language. While bringing these materials in your luggage may be difficult, shipping them
from the US can be costly. The internet provides a great alternative; a list of internet resources is
included in the appendix. Keep in mind that many schools also have subscriptions to English-
language publications.
Consider asking your school for advice about which materials you should bring, but some general
ideas are:
Films, videos of talk shows, news clips, baseball games, commercials, etc. (Note: European
videos do not operate on the NTSC, but rather the PAL format. Due to different regional encoding,
you may also encounter problems with American DVDs.)
Pictures or slides of your home and town/city Newspaper articles from home
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Tourist brochures/pamphlets Short stories
US history book Advertisements - housing, jobs
Grammar book Restaurant menus
Any “reference” CD-ROMs you may have Music
Teen magazines Maps or atlas of the US
Comic books TV guides
A "bag of tricks" – spur-of-the-moment lessons and games
Magazines: Newsweek, The Economist, Time, Rolling Stone, Spotlight, World and Press
8. THE AUSTRIAN SCHOOL SYSTEM
8.1 Introduction
The Austrian system is based on federal legislation that both provides for a general institutional
framework and centrally regulates a number of detailed issues on a national level, such as school
types and curricula. The BMBWF oversees primary and secondary schools, which are administered
by boards of education (Landesschulräte) in the nine Austrian federal provinces.
The most striking difference between the school systems in Austria and the United States is the two-
track system that prepares students for different educational and professional careers (including
vocational training). After children complete four years of primary education (Volksschule) at the age
of ten, their parents make far-reaching decisions about their children’s future by choosing one of two
educational tracks.
Age at
Entry
US
Grade
Austrian
Schulstufe
or Klasse
Primary and Secondary Educational Paths in Austria
6 1 1
General primary education
(Volksschule) 7 2 2
8 3 3
9 4 4
10 5 1 “Higher” secondary schools
(Höhere Schulen) Lower secondary level:
(Unterstufe) AHS
Polytechnikum
11 6 2
12 7 3 General secondary schools
(Neue Mittelschule) 13 8 4
14 9 5 Upper
secondary
level
(Oberstufe) AHS
(general
academic)
Upper
secondary
level
(Oberstufe) BHS
(vocational /
technical)
Trade schools
(Two- to
three-year
programs)
Vocational /
technical
training and
apprenticeship
15 10 6
16 11 7
17 12 8
18 9* “Blue-collar” labor market, such
as sales clerks, hairdressers,
plumbers, electricians. 19 University studies,
Fachhochschulen, “colleges”
(Akademien) for teachers,
social workers, health
professions, etc., “white-collar”
labor market *Note: Many higher secondary vocational-technical schools (BHS) have five years in the upper level.
29
8.2 General Secondary Schools Track
The Neue Mittelschule educational track provides four years of mandatory general education, usually
followed by a one-year Polytechnikum (vocational trade school) or transfer to a “higher school” with
good grades.
8.3 “Higher” Secondary Schools Track
The other educational track is an eight-year, “higher school” track designed to prepare students for a
university education or further academic or professional training, either on a general track
(allgemeinbildende höhere Schulen, AHS) or at schools that provide advanced vocational training
(berufsbildende höhere Schulen, BHS). In order to enroll at an Austrian university, students must
complete one of these “higher schools.”
Education at a higher secondary academic school lasts for an overall period of eight years, split into
a lower secondary level (Unterstufe) of general education (ages 10–14) and an upper secondary level
(Oberstufe) of specialization (ages 15–18). Oberstufe offers a variety of different four-year upper
secondary level programs with varying fields of generalization or specialization. Therefore, the
second most important educational decision in a student’s academic life in Austria is made at the
age of fourteen.
8.4 Higher Secondary Academic Schools (AHS)
The purpose of lower and upper secondary academic schools (allgemeinbildende höhere Schulen,
AHS) is to give students a broad and extended general education and to provide them with the skills
and knowledge necessary for a university education or for more-specialized education or training at
post-secondary technical and vocational colleges called Fachhochschulen or Akademien.
The upper secondary academic school (Oberstufenrealgymnasium) comprises the 5. Klasse – 8. Klasse (US grades 9 to 12) and may be attended after successful completion of the fourth year at a
lower secondary school. Students conclude upper secondary academic schools with comprehensive
oral and written exams (Reifeprüfung) in three to four subjects (e.g. German, Mathematics, and a
foreign language) and are awarded a graduating certificate (Matura), entitling them to enroll in an
Austrian university.
Core curriculum is taught in all school types up to the Reifeprüfung. In addition to compulsory
subjects, individual school types provide for further specialization in certain subject areas depending
on their special focus. Compulsory subjects are: German, foreign languages, history and social
studies, geography and economics, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology and ecology,
psychology and philosophy, musical education, art classes, handicrafts (at the lower secondary
level), and computer science.
There are several different types of AHS schools, which have some autonomy in placing their
educational emphases. However, it is common for these “different schools” to be structured as
curriculum track options within one school administrative structure and building.
The AHS “school types” are:
Gymnasium is the “classic” lower and upper secondary academic school. Students study
English from the 1. Klasse (US grade 5) onwards. Usually, Latin is studied from the 3. Klasse (US
grade 7) onwards, and a third foreign language is studied from the 5. Klasse (US grade 9)
onwards. Many schools, however, opt for different options.
Realgymnasium is a lower and upper secondary academic school beginning at the 3. Klasse (US
grade 7). It offers either Latin or a second foreign language, emphasizes mathematics and
science with descriptive geometry (at the upper-secondary level), geometrical drawing (an
elective at the lower secondary level), and projects emphasize practice-oriented education (labs,
computer science).
Wirtschaftskundliches Realgymnasium is a secondary academic school emphasizing economics.
30
Naturwissenschaftliches Oberstufenrealgymnasium is an upper-secondary academic school for
natural sciences.
Oberstufenrealgymnasium mit Instrumentalunterricht is an upper-secondary academic school
specializing in instrumental music.
Oberstufenrealgymnasium mit bildnerischem Schwerpunkt is an upper-secondary academic
school emphasizing art and handicraft classes.
8.5 Higher Secondary Vocational-Technical Schools (BHS)
After completing the Unterstufe (1. Klasse to 4. Klasse, US grades 5–8), students may choose to
move into a variety of different upper secondary schools that provide specific vocational and
technical training with an additional five years of education. The core curricula of these different
school types reflect their respective fields of specialization.
Students also conclude these higher secondary vocational schools with comprehensive written and
oral exams (Reifeprüfung) and are awarded a Matura, entitling them to enroll at an Austrian
university. In addition to the Matura, they also receive technical-vocational education diplomas that
certify their skills and entitle them to work in certain professions.
The BHS “school types” are:
Höhere technische Lehranstalten (HTL): intensive five-year upper secondary level programs for
engineering (39 hours per week) with various fields of specialization in engineering. During the
first two years, the emphasis is on general education. After the second year, students may
further specialize in their respective fields.
Handelsakademien (HAK): five-year upper secondary level programs in business administration,
providing students with an integrated business (commercial) education, which qualifies them for
white-collar jobs in commercial and administrative branches.
Höhere Lehranstalten für wirtschaftliche Berufe (HLWB): upper secondary programs designed to
prepare students for occupations in the service industries. They offer classes in a third foreign
language, business, ecology, nutrition and business management, business organization and
industrial management, human ecology, social administration, social services and health care,
and cultural tourism.
Höhere Lehranstalten für Tourismus (HLT): specialized in tourism and offer additional choices in
the following areas: foreign languages and business, hotel management, tourism management,
and cultural entertainment.
Bildungsanstalten für Kindergartenpädagogik und Sozialpädagogik (BAKIP): train nursery school
teachers and non-teaching supervisory staff.
Höhere land- und forstwirtschaftliche Schulen: designed to provide students with technical and
managerial know-how for the fields of agriculture, forestry, and related sectors.
8.6 Post-Secondary Schools
There are several post-secondary schools available in Austria, including universities (Universitäten),
universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen), academies (Akademien), and teacher training
colleges (Pädagogische Hochschulen), open to all students who have a Matura. With the exception
of arts and music universities and certain university degree programs such as medicine, there are no
entrance exams at Austrian universities. The university academic calendar has two semesters: a
winter semester (October–February) and a summer semester (March–June). The tuition fees at
Austrian universities are inexpensive compared to American universities: approximately €380 per
semester for EU citizens and around €800 per semester in tuition for non-EU citizens.
For non-EU citizens, applications to an Austrian university must be completed at least one month
before the semester starts. Applicants must submit an official transcript, application form, and
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additional documents outlined in the application materials. Please consult the university websites for
more detailed application and course information and for information about deadlines and fees.
Additional information regarding study at the University of Vienna can be found at:
http://slw.univie.ac.at/en/studying/
9. AUSTRIAN SCHOOL LIFE
9.1 Who’s Who?
The gender-neutral or gender-specific use of terms (i.e. chairperson instead of chairman) is more
frequent in English than in German, where there is a grammatical gender (der, die, das) that also has
to be taken into account. Most positions and titles can be “feminized” by adding the suffix “in” to the
singular form, e.g. Direktor / Direktorin. An upper case “I” is often used in the plural to indicate male
and female members of a group. Technically, Studenten refers to male university students (and was
traditionally used to indicate groups comprised of both male and female students), Studentinnen to
female university students, and StudentInnen (note the upper-case I) to male and female university
students. Over the past years, however, the gender-neutral term Studierende has been introduced
and is now used in most cases. You may also hear the following titles: Schüler, Schülerin, and
SchülerInnen for the students at your schools; Professor or the slightly more formal Herr/Frau Professor used by the students to address their teachers; Herr Kollege /Frau Kollegin used by
teachers to address colleagues with whom they do not have close personal relationships; and
Herr/Frau Direktor.
This is a short list of positions to help you get oriented at your school:
DirektorIn: The principal of the school is responsible for management and
budget issues and public relations.
Direktion: The main administrative office at the school.
AdministratorIn: This person is usually in charge of scheduling classes and
teachers and arranging substitute teachers/lessons.
SekretärIn: This person takes care of all of the school's paperwork (your file
included), calls and mail. It is a good idea to get along with this
person. They know how to get things done if you have questions.
They are responsible, for example, for handling matters related to
health insurance and salary payment.
Hauswart / Schulwart /Portier: The building custodian is also an important person to get along
with if you have any needs or requests (keys, supplies, etc.).
Klassenvorstand: Similar to a homeroom teacher in the US, this teacher takes care
of the administrative paperwork (attendance, report cards, and
mailings) for their class (e.g. the "5A"). Often, the
Klassenvorstand follows the same class from the first year until
the class finishes its school career.
Konferenzzimmer: Usually a large “faculty room” where teachers have their desks
and mailboxes and spend time between classes or during free
periods in their schedule. You might want to ask your
KontaktlehrerIn if there is a spot or desk where you can work
and/or leave materials and whether you have a mailbox
(Postfach) for correspondence with teachers.
KontaktlehrerIn /
BetreuungslehrerIn: The “contact” or supervisory teacher who will plan your schedule
and will show you around school. If you have any problems or
questions, go to this person first.
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KlassensprecherIn: The student elected to represent their class (e.g. the "5B").
Schulgemeinschaftsausschuss
(SGA): A committee made up of teachers, parents, students, and the
principal. They discuss issues regarding school policies.
Elternverein: PTA, which tries to keep open lines of communication between
teachers and parents. They also raise money for special school
projects or special requests.
9.2 School Structure
A typical school day starts at about 7:45–8:15 a.m. and has six 50-minute morning periods (Stunden)
that last until about 1:30–2:00 p.m., though exact times differ from school to school. Most students
go home after the morning periods, but one or two days a week they might have afternoon classes,
which are usually physical education or electives and small group classes. This may vary, however,
depending on the students’ grade level. Schools may have a small lunchroom (Buffet), but lunch is
not a part of the student's schedule. Some schools also have classes on Saturdays; however, each
year an increasing number of schools are opting for a five-day school week. Austrian schools
basically run on a five-day week and ten-month school year.
Teachers switch classrooms, not the students. Students generally have all their classes with the
same group of people and in the same classroom. Each grade level is divided into various sub-
classes (e.g., the 5th class into 5A, 5B, 5C, etc.), and these sub-classes spend the majority of the
school day and their school careers together. This can have an impact on student behavior, class
dynamics, and your instruction style.
Each class consistently meets on a weekly schedule, but not on a daily or block schedule. That is,
Austrian students do not have the same subjects at the same time every day, but rather their
subjects are arranged into a weekly plan: three hours of English, four hours of math, etc., at various
times throughout the week. The core subjects (Hauptfächer) are math, German, English and a
second foreign language (French, Italian, Spanish, Latin). Some of the other subjects include
(Nebenfächer) history, geography, physics, chemistry, biology, philosophy, psychology, music, art,
and PE.
Grading in Austria is based on a one-to-five scale:
1 Sehr gut 2 Gut 3 Befriedigend
4 Genügend
5 Nicht genügend
This scale does not translate directly into the American A to F scale insofar as a “4” is considered
not only a passing but also an acceptable grade. Students’ academic grades are based to a great
extent on major written examinations (Schularbeiten), two or three of which are given in the course of
the semester. Many students consequently tend to “learn for the test.”
A full-time teacher teaches about 20 periods a week and is usually licensed to teach two subjects in
which they have completed academic studies. Teachers will often be gone from school when not
teaching or performing other duties, such as hall supervision during breaks (Gangaufsicht), office
hours for parents (Sprechstunden), and substitute periods (Supplierstunden). Usually there is a
master teacher schedule posted in the Konferenzzimmer in case you need to see when a specific
teacher should be at school.
9.3 Classroom Environment
In many classrooms students use tables, not individual desks. Since the classroom "belongs" to the
class and each teacher comes in for their lesson, the students in each class usually decide how they
want to arrange the tables and how to decorate their classroom; ideas and plans have to be
approved by their homeroom teacher (Klassenvorstand).
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Many USTAs find that the school rules and discipline system are less strict and straightforward than
those found in American schools. Austrian teachers often rely on their own strategies for creating
and maintaining class discipline, as there are often no school-wide detention or demerit systems in
place. Some differences in rules observed by former USTAs include: the lack of dress code (though
students must wear slippers or Hausschuhe), the presence of a smoking area on the school grounds,
and the lack of standard disciplinary punishments for disruptive students during or between classes.
It is important to realize that, as a USTA, you will be largely responsible for establishing a productive
classroom environment.
Classroom instruction is more traditional in nature than in the US, with the majority of teachers using
a frontal instruction approach. Many USTAs have observed the differences between Austrian and
American educational philosophies and how they manifest themselves in the group dynamics of the
classroom. For second-language acquisition, European schools often emphasize a teacher-led
classroom and lack a focus on student-to-student communicative learning.
The facilities you will be working in will probably be well kept up, even if the buildings themselves are
old. American schools can be recognized by their spacious “campus” settings: playgrounds, sports
fields, tennis courts and big parking lots. Austrian schools are less conspicuous. Usually, sports
facilities in Austrian schools are much smaller than their American equivalents; if students play
sports, they usually play on a club or team not affiliated with the school. A big parking lot is not
necessary because many teachers and students walk, bike or take public transportation to school;
Austrians cannot get driver's licenses before they are 17.
Austrian schools have a break at Christmas (generally from December 24 to January 6), a semester
break (a week in February), and an Easter break (the week before Easter), as well as a summer
vacation (two months). Roman Catholic holidays (e.g., Assumption, Pentecost) are also observed by
the state as public holidays in Austria.
10. SAMPLE LESSON PLANS
10.1 General Format
Many USTAs have no teaching experience or training. A general lesson plan might be set up as
follows:
Warm-up: The primary goal is to announce that class has begun and to get the students’
attention.
Set the stage: Establish the topic.
Providing input: Present new materials.
Guided participation / controlled practice: Students engage in a variety of specific learning
activities for specific skills in narrow contexts.
Extension: Students apply and perform lesson goals.
Conclusion / wind-down: Let the students know the lesson is coming to an end.
When creating a lesson plan, keep in mind that it is important to have a warm-up and an introduction
and to engage the students in the lesson. Below are suggestions for integrating the topics with the
materials mentioned in the previous sections. Below you will find a list of sample lesson plans and
“fillers” you can use and adapt for your students/classes. The following sample lesson plans are just
that—samples. You can adjust and adapt them to your needs (time schedule, age level, level of
English proficiency, etc.). They are meant to help guide you and give you ideas.
10.2 Peer Resources
Teachers, student textbooks, and fellow language assistants are great resources as you plan your
lessons in the upcoming year. Resources are available from previous USTAs and can be found on
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Fulbright Austria’s Google Drive. The Google Drive resources can also be accessed via the link
provided in the informal Facebook group.
10.3 Suggestions for Topics
Media
1. Introduction: what are the different forms of media
2. Compare/contrast: list most common newspapers and magazines from each country
3. Compare/contrast: radio and television, print and electronic or “new media”
Materials: magazines, newspapers, advertisements, TV guides, video clips
Racism
1. Klasse Introduction: Tell a story of how you or someone you know experienced an act of
racism; ask students for a story (may be personal) about an act of racism; relate
the topic of racism to a song or elicit song titles from students; write the word
"racism" on the board and ask students to brainstorm and define the term (either in
groups or as a large group).
2. Klasse Ask them to tell you about the situation in Austria. Are there incidents of racism?
Which groups are affected? Ask them what their first reaction is when they hear a
person speaking a foreign language. Which languages do they hear?
3. Klasse Music: Play a song and use as a fill-the-gaps exercise. For this topic, Peter
Gabriel's "Biko" is suitable (deals with Apartheid in South Africa), or use any other
song dealing with the issue of racism. You can also use websites with collections
of lyrics to search for appropriate songs.
4. Klasse Role play - Come up with a situation, then put the students in groups and give
each group member a specific opinion or role to play. The specific roles should
create some kind of controversy/conflict/discussion. Students need to come up
with arguments for their opinion and discuss in their small group.
US school system
1. Klasse Introduction: Compare the Austrian school system with the US system.
2. Klasse On an overhead transparency/handout/on the board, outline the structure of the
US school system, including a chart of which ages are in which grades, kinds of
schools, daily life, school day, schedule, classes, lockers, textbooks, rules, school
bus, after-school activities, homework, grading system and report cards,
extracurricular activities, graduation, prom, dances, etc.
3. Klasse Students outline the Austrian system and compare/contrast the two systems.
4. Klasse Handout with questions: discuss the positives and negatives in each system.
Materials: yearbook, report card, student handbook, pictures of graduation, school (or university)
newspaper
Fillers
Fillers are used to fill in those last few minutes of class when you have covered all the material for
that lesson but still have some class time left. It is helpful to have a “bag of tricks” that you can pull
out at any time. Use your own discretion as to which fillers are appropriate for your students and
how long each filler should last.
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Hangman: Use words from the day or from the current topic in class. Choose the words or ask
for suggestions (have them write them out to avoid spelling mistakes).
Twenty questions: Have the names of well-known people (singers, actors, authors, athletes, etc.)
written out on cards. One volunteer picks a card, and the class will ask yes or no questions, for
example "Is it a woman?" or "Is this person still alive?" Whoever guesses the name of the person
gets to pick the next card. You can limit the questions to twenty, thus the name of the game.
Bingo: Have a five-by-five grid ready (photocopied for each student) or ask students to quickly
draw one out. This is their Bingo card. You can ask them to label the top of each column with
current class topics. For example, the first column is names of animals, the second column is
colors, the third column is articles of clothing, the fourth column is rooms in a house and the fifth
column is furniture. Each student should fill in their own card according to the topics. When they
finish, you can then call out, "Colors - blue" or "Rooms - dining room". They should mark their
cards by putting a star in the right top corner of the square. When someone has "Bingo", you
can start a new game and have them mark their cards by putting an X in the bottom left corner
of the square. Reuse the cards as long as they use a different marking system each time.
Telephone: Think of a sentence (one that is somewhat challenging for the particular age group)
and whisper it to the first student. The sentence is whispered around the room from student to
student. When it reaches the last student, ask them to tell the class what the sentence is. Tell
them the original sentence and see how close they were.
Charades / Pictionary: Have cards prepared with current vocabulary, or split the class into two
teams and have each team come up with vocabulary for the opposite team. Each team takes
turns acting out or drawing the vocabulary for their team to guess. Give points for each correct
guess. You may want to set time limits for guessing.
Find someone who...: Prepare a grid sheet with specific tasks in each box, for example “…can
play an instrument,” “…can speak a language other than German,” “…has been to England,”
etc. Label the top of the grid "Find someone who..." Students walk around the classroom to find
a student who answers yes to the task. That student then writes their name in that box. Students
try to fill all their boxes with different names of students from their class.
Grammar or vocabulary tasks: Who can name all the months of the year in English, can name
five animals, can count to 100 using multiples of five, etc.
11. EXTENDING YOUR TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIP FOR A SECOND YEAR
Some teaching assistants wish to continue their stay in Austria. Provided that their performance
merits an extension for a second year, USTAs may apply to have their teaching assistantships
extended for a second year, either at their current locations or at another location in Austria.
Applicants for extensions are required to pay a processing fee of €60 to Fulbright Austria at the time
of the application to help defray administrative costs. Notification of acceptance status is usually
sent out at the beginning of April.
It is important to note that teaching assistants are not entitled to an extension of their assignments.
The number of extensions granted is contingent upon the number of applications for extension, their
relative quality and merits, the size of the “first-time” applicant pool, and the number of teaching
assistant positions available the following school year.
Deadline
The deadline for the BMBWF and Fulbright Austria to receive extension applications is usually in
mid-February. Applying for an extension requires the online submission of the following items:
Antrag auf Verlängerung (in the online application systems of both the BMBWF and Fulbright
Austria)
A written recommendation from your school(s).
Statement answering the question: “Why do you want to stay a second year?”
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Note: Fulbright Austria will send you updated and detailed instructions about the extension
procedure. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that the school officials forward these materials.
All of the abovementioned conditions and deadlines must be met or your request will not be
reviewed. It is particularly important for your application to be submitted via the Dienstweg to the
BMBWF. Sending in your application via the Dienstweg means that your school forwards your
application to the relevant city or provincial school board, which in turn sends it on to BMBWF. Late
applications will not be considered.
12. APPENDIX
12.1 Internet Resources
The following list of online resources includes several general information and lesson plan websites
as well as links to articles related to topics that past teaching assistants have been asked to address
in class.
12.1.1. General information and lesson plan websites
Language
Resource
Dictionary http://www.dictionary.com/
Thesaurus https://www.thesaurus.com/
Lesson Plans Teaching international English
from current Reuters news
stories
http://www.english-to-go.com/
PBS https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/
CNN San Francisco Bureau
Learning Resources
http://literacynet.org/cnnsf/
The New York Times http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/category/le
sson-plans/
News http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/
TESL Dave's ESL Cafe http://www.eslcafe.com/
PIZZAZ (People Interested in
Zippy and ZAny Zcribbling)
http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~leslieob/pizzaz.
html (includes a bag of tricks)
Randall's ESL Cyber Listening
Lab
https://www.esl-lab.com/
Tongue Twisters http://www.tongue-twister.net/en.htm
12.1.2 Topic-specific websites
Death Penalty Angel on Death Row: the
real case of “Dead Man
Walking”
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/angel/
Death Penalty
Drugs
Death Penalty Information
Center
http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/
PBS Frontline Report “The
Execution”
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows
/execution/
The Drug Reform
Coordination Network
http://stopthedrugwar.org/home
Environment EPA http://www.epa.gov/students/
Feminism Virginia Tech Feminist
Theory
http://www.cddc.vt.edu/feminism/enin.html
Feminism
Film / Movies
Gifts of Speech. Women's
Speeches Around the
World
http://gos.sbc.edu/
International Movie
Database
http://www.imdb.com
Holidays The Holiday Zone:
Activities for English
Language Learners
http://www.theholidayzone.com/
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Int’l Relations H-Net discussion group http://www.h-net.org/~diplo/
Native Americans Bureau of Indian Affairs https://www.bia.gov/
Native Americans
Racism
Native American internet
resources
http://www.hanksville.org/NAresources/
Teaching Tolerance https://www.tolerance.org/mix-it-up/activities
Religion The American Religious
Experience
http://are.as.wvu.edu/
US Education US Network for Education
Information
https://www2.ed.gov/about/contacts/gen/othersi
tes/index.html
US Foreign Policy The State Department http://www.state.gov/
US Government Gov’t info. exchange http://www.info.gov/
US Government
US History
Government info. exchange
for kids
http://www.kids.gov/
FBI for kids https://www.fbi.gov/fbi-kids
CIA for kids https://www.cia.gov/kids-page/index.html
Naturalization test https://www.uscis.gov/us-
citizenship/naturalization-test
12.2 Frequently used textbooks
The following representative selection of the tables of contents from frequently used textbooks will
begin to acquaint you with the material students cover at specific age levels as well as the learning
sequence in terms of vocabulary and conceptualization. Different schools choose different textbooks
contingent upon teacher preferences and their respective branches of specialization in the higher
grades.
The New You & Me
Used by: BG, BRG Grades 1–4 (ages 10–14)
1. Klasse Colors, sweets and snacks, classroom objects, clothes (money), circus animals,
body, time, hobbies, food, collections, rooms in a house, family and friends, TV,
magic, short stories, holidays (vacation), Christmas, Easter
2. Klasse Holidays (vacation), giving directions, friends, festivals (Halloween), mascots (good
luck charms), money, feelings, ghosts, science fiction, sports, magic, school
subjects, buildings, pets and animals, lost and found, dreams, Christmas
3. Klasse Adventures, rules (chores/household jobs), mystery story, London, vampires, teen
problems, King Arthur, San Francisco, real life dramas, famous writers, natural
disasters, cheating in school
4. Klasse Australia, sports, Native Americans, food, save the earth, environmental issues,
big cities, New York, book (bookworms), growing up, Ireland, dilemmas, jobs,
poetry
Meanings Into Words
Used by: BG, BRG, BORG, HBLA, HLW Grades 5–8 (ages 14–18)
5. Klasse Housing, holiday in Britain, daily routine, schools, rules, jobs, family relations,
youth organizations, sports, health (food, calories, activity)
38
6. Klasse TV (viewing habits, soaps), Canada, city life and country life, endangered earth,
inventions and discovery, arts, violence, charities, shopping, advertising
7. Klasse Culture vulture (art, cinema, poems), drugs, racism, politics, books and reading,
growing up, travel and tourism, disasters (Titanic, Lindberg flight), environment,
media
8. Klasse Family issues (gender roles, single parents, divorce, adoption), attitudes towards
work and leisure, industrial change, developing country issues, literature, human
rights
Make Your Way With English
Used by: BG, BRG, BORG, BAKIP Grades 5–8 (ages 14–18)
5. Klasse Pop music, school system, Victorian times, unsolved mysteries, India,
environment, poetry, cartoons and jokes, train/railway system, computers,
housing, shopping, food, friends-family-fifteen, youth hostels
6. Klasse Fashion, books and reading, violence, relationships, cars and transportation,
drugs, Texas, dictionaries, horror films and stories, smoking, tourism in Austria,
Amnesty International, dangers of sunbathing
7. Klasse Generations, TV, Canada, art, death and dying, dreams, short stories, senior
high school, coping with stress, politics in the U.K., beauty, science and
technology, careers
8. Klasse Novels, racial problems in the USA., leisure time, Northern Ireland, language
(British and American English, who speaks what, men and women, feminism),
newspapers, The American Dream, school and education
Make Your Way In Business
Used by: BHAK, HBLA Ages 14–19
1. Klasse Family, school, hobbies, pen pals, agony columns, shopping, diary, home -
what does that mean, free time, sports, American football, bungee jumping,
bodybuilding, extreme sports, health and sickness, food, restaurants, menus,
invitations, preparation, games and tricks, school, post office, jobs, working
situation, traffic signs, reading instructions on equipment, hotels, banks,
holidays (vacation)
2. Klasse Being a teenager, clothing and fashion, school life, goals, music and books, TV
habits, video games, alcohol and smoking, school or work, tourist industry,
flying, going by train, holidays (vacation), Australia, New Zealand
3. Klasse Peers and parents, youth exchanges, American and British English, politics,
elections, human rights and discrimination, Earth Day, eating habits, coping with
stress, drugs, tourism, tourist brochures, food and restaurants, shopping,
banking, history of money, business industry, working in industry, products
4. Klasse Driving, renting a car, stereotypes, European Union, stock market, newspapers,
tabloids, death, HIV/AIDS, violence, civil war and famine, United Nations,
internet and computers, art, jobs for males and females, business ethics, travel
industry, management styles, advertisements
5. Klasse Economic aspects, organizing an event, hurricanes, energy conservation, tourist
industry problems, standards of living, child labor in the Third World, fashion,
jobs, job applications
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Work It Out In English
Used by: HTL, die Graphische Ages 14–19
Book 1 Getting to know one another, sports, shopping, adventures, families, young
people abroad, free time, post office, computers, reading instructions, a dream
job, gender issues, advertisements, hotels, environment, at the bank, working
with tools, working with numbers, working with shapes, safety
Book 2 Schools, food, fashion, travel by train, houses, youth hostels, cars and
transportation, dictionaries, smoking, Amnesty International (torture), dangers of
sunbathing
12.3 Meldezettel
https://www.help.gv.at/Portal.Node/hlpd/public/resources/documents/meldez.pdf
12.4 US Citizen Registration with US Consular Section
https://at.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/
12.5 Addresses in the United States of America
Austrian consular offices and the Austrian embassy in Washington, DC: (Consult
http://www.austria.org/ for details)
Embassy of Austria
(http://www.austria.org)
3524 International Court, NW
Washington, DC 20008-3027
Consular District: Alabama, Arkansas,
Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana,
Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina,
Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, US-
Virgin-Islands, Commonwealth of the Bahamas
Tel: (202) 895-6700 Fax: (202) 895-6750
Email: [email protected]
Consular Section
Tel: (202) 895-6711, 895-6743
Fax: (202) 895-6773
Email: [email protected]
Austrian Press and Information Service
3524 International Court, NW
Washington, DC 20008-3027
Tel: (202) 895-6775 Fax: (202) 895-6772
Email: [email protected]
Office of Science & Technology at the Embassy
of Austria
3524 International Court, NW
Washington, DC 20008-3027
Tel: (202) 895-6754 Fax: (202) 895-6750
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.ostina.org/
Austrian Cultural Forums
NEW YORK
11 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10022
Tel: (212) 319-5300 Fax: (212) 644-8660
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.acfny.org
Austrian Cultural Forums
WASHINGTON
3524 International Court, NW
Washington, DC 20008-3027
Tel: (202) 895-6700 Fax: (202) 895-6750
Email: [email protected]
Austrian Consulates General
CHICAGO
Wrigley Building, Suite 707
400 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
Consular District: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota,
Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South
Dakota, Wisconsin
LOS ANGELES
11859 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 501
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Consular District: Alaska, Arizona, California,
Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada,
New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington,
Wyoming, Pacific Islands (under US.
Administration)
40
Tel: (312) 222-1515 Fax: (312) 222-4113
Email: [email protected]
Tel: (310) 444-9310 Fax: (310) 477-9897
Email: [email protected]
NEW YORK
31 East 69th Street
New York, NY 10021
Consular District: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont; Bermudas
Tel: (212) 737-6400 Fax: (212) 772-585-1992
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.austria-ny.org
12.6 Addresses in Austria
Fulbright Austria
Austrian-American Educational
Commission)
quartier 21/MQ, Museumsplatz
1, A-1070 Wien,
Tel: (01) 236 7878, international
access code plus country code
43 and city code 1
(Europe/Austria/Vienna)
Website: www.fulbright.at
American Embassy
Boltzmanngasse 16, A-1091 Wien,
Tel. (01) 313 39
Website:
http://www.usembassy.at/
American Consulate
Gartenbaupromenade 2
A-1010 Wien, (Hotel Marriott)
Tel: (01) 313 39 – 0
Austrian Student Union (Österreichische
Hochschülerschaft)
Taubstummengasse 7-9,
A-1040 Wien, 4. Stock
Tel.: (01) 310 88 80 - 0
Fax: (01) 310 88 80 - 36
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: www.oeh.ac.at
Branche in all university cities
Branch office University of Vienna
Uni Campus
Spitalgasse 2, Hof 1
1090 Vienna (Universitätsvertretung)
Tel. (01) 277 / 19553
Website: http://www.oeh.univie.ac.at/
E-Mail: [email protected]
(social issues, jobs, housing)
E-Mail: [email protected]
Tel.: (01) 40103-2630
Austro-American Institute of Education
(Amerika-Institut)
Operngasse 4 A-1010 Wien
Tel: (01) 512 7720
Austrian Exchange Service
Website: http://www.oead.ac.at/ for information
on all branch offices
12.7 Sample Housing Ad Terminology
1/2/3 Zi. Whg/ 1/2/3
Zimmer Wohnung
1/2/3-room
apartment
Maklerfrei Not brokered by realtor
2er/3er etc. WG/
Wohngemeinschaft
2/3 etc. people
sharing an apartment
and rent
Mitbenutzung Facilities to be shared
with others
2./3. Liftstock 3/4. floor with
elevator
möb./ möbliert Furnished
AB/ Altbau Old; usually built
before 1945; high
ceilings
nach Vereinbarung To be agreed upon
Ablöse Non-refundable
deposit
Nachmieter gesucht Party being sought to take
over lease
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Ausst./ Ausstattung Interior furnishings NK/ Nebenkosten Utility costs (does not
include heating and
electricity!)
Betriebskosten Utility costs NB/ Neubau Relatively new building
(built after 1945)
Durchgangszimmer Walk-through room /
connecting room
OG/ Mezzanin Mezzanine (second floor
US)
Duschgelegenheit Shower facility von privat/ privat zu
vermieten
Rented through owner
EG/ Erdgeschoß Ground floor Provision Commission
Garconniere Studio apartment
with shower and
cooking facility
Provisionsfrei No commission
Gepflegt/ gepflgt. Well-kept teilmöbliert Partially furnished
getrennt begehbar Rooms are
separated
Untermiete Sublease
großzügig Here: spacious Warm/ Warmmiete Rent includes heating
inkl. Heizung Rent includes
heating costs
WaMa/
Waschmaschine
Washing maschine
Kalt/Kaltmiete Rent does not
include heating
ZH/ Zentralheizung Central heating
Kaution Deposit Zzgl./ zuzüglich
Heizung u.
Nebenkosten
Plus heating and utilities
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12.8 Conversion Tables
When using Austrian recipes, it would be wise to invest in a scale and metric measuring cup.
However, if you do not have access to a scale, here are conversions to metric units that you will
need:
Dry Volume Conversions
1/2 cup 0.136 liters 50 milliliters 3 tbsp.
1 cup 0.272 liters 100 milliliters 6 tbsp.
1 pint 0.551 liters 125 milliliters 1/2 cup less 2 tsp.
200 milliliters 2/3 cup plus 1 tbsp.
1 quart 1.101 liters 1 liter 1 quart less 6 tbsp.
Most dry goods are measured by weight rather than volume (a handy cup— MESSBECHER —
on the market has markings for various weights of different dry goods). Here is a chart for three
commonly used ingredients.
Shortening Sifted Flour Sugar
1 tablespoon 14 grams 8 grams 12 grams
1/4 cup 56 grams 30 grams 50 grams
1/3 cup 75 grams 40 grams 67 grams
1/2 cup 113 grams 60 grams 100 grams
1 cup 225 grams 120 grams 200 grams
Weight Equivalents Liquid Volume Conversions
1 ounce 28.35 grams 1 teaspoon 4.9 ml.
1 pound 453.60 grams 1 tablespoon 14.8 ml.
1 gram 0.035 ounces 1 cup 0.236 liters (1/4
liter less 2
tbsp.)
5 grams 0.18 ounces 20 grams 0.7 ounces
30 grams 1.04 ounces 1 quart 0.9463 liters (1L
less 1/4 cup)
50 grams 1.75 ounces
100 grams 3.5 ounces
125 grams 4.4 ounces
150 grams 5.3 ounces
250 grams 8.8 ounces 1/4 liter 1 cup plus 1 T
400 grams 14.0 ounces
500 grams 1.2 pounds 1/2 liter 2 cups plus 2 T
1 kilo 2.2 pounds 1 liter 1.06 quart (4.25C)
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Metric Conversion Factors (Approximates)
To covert to metric: To convert from metric:
When You Multiply To Find When You Multiply To Find
Know by Know By
Length
Inches 2.5 Centimeters Millimeters 0.04 Inches
Feet 30.0 Centimeters Centimeters 0.4 Inches
Yards 0.9 Meters Meters 1.1 Yards
Miles 1.6 Kilometers Kilometers 0.6 Miles
Area
Sq. inches 6.5 sq. cm. Sq. cm. 0.16 Sq. inches
Sq. feet 0.0929 sq. meters Sq. meters 10.8 Sq. feet
Sq. miles 2.6 sq. km. Sq. km. 0.4 Sq. miles
Acres 0.4 Hectares Hectares 2.5 Acres
Weight
Ounces 28 Grams Grams 0.035 Ounces
Pounds 0.45 Kilograms Kilograms 2.2 Pounds
Short tons 0.9 Tons Tons 1.1 Short tons
(2000 lbs.) (1000 kg.)
Volume
Teaspoons 5 Milliliters Milliliters 0.2 Teaspoons
Tablespoons 15 Milliliters Milliliters 0.6 Tablespoons
Fluid ounces 30 Milliliters Milliliters 0.03 Fl. ounces
Cups 0.24 Liters Liters 4.2 Cups
Quarts 0.95 Liters Liters 1.06 Quarts
Gallons 3.8 Liters Liters 0.26 Gallons
Temperature Conversions
Air Body Oven
C° F° C° F° C° F°
-20 4 36.5 97.7 121 250
-15 5 37.0 98.6 149 300
-10 14 37.5 99.5 163 325
-5 23 38.0 100.4 177 350
0 32 38.5 101.3 191 375
5 41 39.0 102.2 204 400
10 50 39.5 103.1 218 425
15 59 40.0 104.0 232 450
20 68 260 500
25 77 288 550
30 86
35 95
To get F°: multiply C° by nine, divide by 5, and add 32.
To get C°: subtract 32 from F°, multiply by 5, and divide by 9.